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Russia happy with talks

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was happy with his talks with Hamas leaders. A six-member delegation of Hamas led by Politburo chief Khaled Meshaal arrived in Moscow on Friday for a three-day visit at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.

"We are satisfied with the negotiations," Mr. Lavrov said after holding more than two hours of talks with Hamas leaders. The Russian Minister stressed that Hamas is willing to honour all earlier peace agreements if Israel shows goodwill.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Moscow conveyed to Hamas the four principles for West Asia settlement approved by the "quartet": renunciation of violence, adherence to earlier Israeli-Palestinian agreements, recognition of Israel's right to existence, and creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Mr. Meshaal described Israel's "aggressive policy" as the main obstacle to West Asia settlement and demanded that Israel leave the occupied territories.

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