Russia has said it will grant the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority urgent financial aid, in opposition to the policy of the EU and the US. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the pledge to authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a telephone call, Moscow said. The US and EU cut off aid after Hamas took power on 30 March because the militant group refused to renounce violence or recognise Israel. Iran on Friday urged the Muslim world to help fund the authority.
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Mr Lavrov said on Tuesday withholding aid to the Palestinians was a mistake. "Hamas should... recognise Israel and sit down at the negotiating table. But for that it's necessary to work with them," Mr Lavrov said.
Palestinian PM Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, vowed on Friday that the cuts in funds would not weaken the people's resolve.
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