BEIJING, June 8 -- The attack in Gaza has complicated the British foreign secretary's two-day trip to the Mideast. Jack Straw's mission was already under under a diplomatic cloud after his admission of a UK-Hamas connection.

    Meeting with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom, Straw condemned the latest rocket attacks by Hamas militants. He then went on to distance the UK from the militant group.

    British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "Our policy is clear. We will have no dealings with the leadership of Hamas or other such organizations unless and until they wholly renounce violence and renounce their charter calling for the destruction of the state of Israel."

    Britain and the European Union have both declared Hamas a terrorist group. But earlier in a radio interview, Straw admitted that British diplomats had held meetings with elected officials connected to the group.

    Hamas responded angrily and defiantly to Straw's latest statement.

    Hamas Spokesman in Gaza Mushir Al-Masri said: "We will never get rid of our weapons, not for a second. Our resistance is justified and legal."

    Al-Masri said Hamas is open to dialogue with European countries. The condition is they consider the interests of the Palestinians and the right of Hamas to defend itself and its people.

    (Source: CCTV.com)