(From L)European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferreo-Waldnerer, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,are pictured 30 January 2006 in London.(Xinhua/AFP photo)

    LONDON, Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The Middle East Quartet on Monday urged the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to abandon violence,recognize Israel and accept the roadmap to the Middle East peace.

Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice are seen during a press conference in London, 30 January 2006.(Xinhua/AFP photo)

    "It is the view of the Quartet that all members of the future Palestinian government must be committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the road map," said a statement issued by the Quartet -- the European Union (EU), the United Nations, the United States and Russia -- after a meeting in London.

    "The Quartet concluded that it was inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap, " said the statement, which was read by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan at a news conference after the Quartet had talks on thesituation in the Middle East.

    Annan also told reporters, "If Hamas...transforms itself from an armed movement into a political party respecting the rules of the game...I think the international community should be able to work with them."

    Hamas defeated the ruling Fatah party in parliamentary elections last week by winning 76 seats in the 132-member Palestinian Legislative Council and was asked by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to form government.

    Acting Israeli Prime Minister Olmert set three conditions in dealing with Hamas: the renunciation of violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and accept all the agreements signed by the Palestinian National Authority with Israel. Enditem