Hamas invites French fm to visit Gaza

Gaza-based Palestinian government Hamas on Saturday called on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to visit the territory to learn about the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for the government, said the invitation "was motivated by France's moral stance which was reflected throughout Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's remarks."

Kouchner, who has been visiting Israel and the West Bank since Tuesday, criticized the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the restrictions that Zionist regime imposes on the movement of Palestinians.

Earlier, the French diplomat confirmed reports that a retired French official has held contacts with Hamas despite the US and European boycott on the Islamic movement.

Al-Nunu added that the Hamas government "welcomes an active French role for ending the current divisions among the Palestinians," referring to the standoff between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.