A Hamas spokesman said Thursday that the terror group, which is to take over the Palestinian government this month, has been invited to South Africa for talks with officials. No timetable has been set for the visit, Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
UN S-G Kofi Annan has said the international community should shun Hamas unless it recognizes Israel's right to live in peace, renounces terrorism and accepts the Mideast peace process.
"We would be concerned that giving legitimacy to an unreformed Hamas could stifle the possibility that the movement will transform itself from a terrorist organization to a political party," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.
Hamas leaders are due to visit Russia on Friday and have also been invited to Venezuela for talks with government officials there. Senior Hamas officials have already met with Turkey's foreign minister.
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