GAZA CITY - Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya on Wednesday authorised ministers in his Hamas-led government to have "contacts" with Israel in order to ease Palestinian daily life and said he would study any offer for political negotiations the Jewish state may wish to extend.
"Nothing stops ministers from having contacts with the Israelis to deal with matters connected to daily life, business and the economy," said Haniya following the first regular cabinet meeting of his new government.
"When it comes to political negotiations, that poses a problem because they subscribe to a political vision. We are waiting on what is proposed to us, we will study it and decide on our position," he added.
Israel has refused to have any dealings with the Hamas-led government unless the radical Islamist faction categorically recognises its right to exist, renounces violence and abides by previous accords.
04/05/2006 14:54 GMT