SINGAPORE, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Singapore on Friday urged Hamas,the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine, to give up the use of violence and work with Israel in building peace in the Middle East.

    "We urge Hamas to renounce the use of violence, set aside its old policies, and work with Israel to build lasting peace in the Middle East and an independent Palestinian state through the Quartet Roadmap," said a spokesman from the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

    Hamas won a crushing victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections on Jan. 25 this year by securing 76 seats in the new 132-seat parliament.

    It was the first legislative bid for Hamas, a major radical militant group against Israeli occupation. Enditem