Rice's visit to the Middle East is "unwelcome": Hamas

A senior Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) leader announced on Wednesday that the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Middle East and to the Palestinian territories is "unwelcome."

Ismail Radwan, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza told reporters that the visit of Rice "is a U.S. attempt to support Israel, and it doesn't aim at reviving the stalled Middle East peace process as she claims."

Radwan added that he expects that Rice's mission in the region "would fail before the steadfastness and firmness of the Palestinian people adhering to their legitimate rights."

Hamas rejected three Quartet Committee requirements, which are: recognizing Israel and the interim accords signed between Israel and the Palestinians, and condemn violence.

Rejecting the Quartet demands led to a political and ecumenical crisis in the Palestinian territories. The peace process was stalled and the financial donations to the Palestinian people were cutoff by Israel and the international community.

Palestinian sources said that Rice is scheduled to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas in al-Muqata'a in the West Bank city of Ramallah late Wednesday afternoon before she heads to Israel to meet with Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert.

Source: Xinhua