WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here on Wednesday that no U.S. assistance will be provided to a Hamas-led Palestinian government.

    Testifying the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rice said the Bush administration would not turn its back on such humanitarian programs as immunizing children against disease. "But no money will go to that government," Rice said under questioning by Senator George Allen.

    "I don't want a penny of taxpayer money going to Hamas," Allen told Rice.

    "Neither do I," Rice replied.

    For the year of 2006, the U.S. is providing 150 million dollars in direct aid for Palestinian development and other needs. An additional 84 million dollars in U.S. money is distributed through the United Nations.

    A decision on whether to maintain those levels will be made the next two weeks, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Tuesday.

    Hamas, known formally as the Islamic Resistance Movement and considered a terrorist organization by Washington, won a crushing victory over the long-dominant Fatah group in an election on Jan. 25.

    The United States has denied to be working with Israel to derail Hamas' rule. However, the State Department said it was reviewing U.S. aid to the Palestinians. Enditem¡¡