The United States reacted coolly to an offer by Saudi Arabia to broker peace between rivaling Fatah and Hamas and stressed Hamas must renounce violence and recognize Israel.

"Let me put it this way. What we would like to see is a Palestinian partner that is willing to talk about peace with the Israelis," White House spokesman Tony Snow said when asked if U.S. President George W. Bush supports the Saudi offer.

"It is important to have a negotiating partner that renounces violence, acknowledges Israel's right to exist, and will abide by all prior agreements made by previous Palestinian administrations with the Israelis," Snow said.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called on Sunday Fatah and Hamas to hold emergency talks in the holy Muslim holy city of Mecca to stop the internal fighting between Hamas and Fatah and the Palestinian leaders on both sides said they would take up the invitation, although no date was set.

The internal fighting between Hamas and Fatah has left over 20 people killed and dozens wounded since it erupted on Thursday.

The United States has suspended contacts and aids to the Hamas- led Palestinian government and said Hamas will not be a peace partner unless it renounces violence and recognizes Israel.

Source: Xinhua