DAMASCUS, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- A leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said here on Sunday that the group is careful to form a national coalition government with different factions, the official SANA news agency reported.

    Hamas politburo chief Khalid Meshaal, who now lives in exile in Syria, made the remarks after meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara.

    "Hamas is conferring  with the parliamentary blocs in the new legislative council, with all Palestinian forces and factions, as well as with independent personalities because the movement is careful to form a national coalition government able to shoulder its responsibilities in this critical stage," Meshaal told reporters.

    On pressure on Hamas to recognize Israel, Meshaal said "the world has to compel Israel to recognize the Palestinian right. It is not fair to ask the victim to recognize its killer ...the occupier should recognize our rights and stop its aggression and withdraw from our land."

    On his meeting with Shara, Meshaal said it came within the framework of consultation with the Arab and Islamic nations.

    Shara congratulated Hamas on its victory in the Jan. 25 parliamentary elections, hoping these results will enhance the Palestinian unity, SANA said.

    He also stressed the importance of continuing Arab support forthe Palestinian cause and respecting the Palestinians' will and choices of returning home, establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

    Hamas leaders said on Saturday after a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the group would form a new government later this month after the newly-elected parliament is sworn in on Feb. 16. Enditem