RAMALLAH, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat Saturday said the U.S. pledged to continue financial support for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) though the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) would lead a new Palestinian government.

    Erekat told reporters following a meeting in Ramallah with visiting deputy US Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Welsh.

    The meeting was the first high-level U.S.-Palestinian contact since Hamas, whose charter calls for destruction of Israel, scored a landslide victory in Palestinian Parliamentary elections last month.

    Welsh is also scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Saturday, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.

    The U.S. official is also expected to meet with Israeli officials on Sunday, said the sources. Enditem