RAMALLAH, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Monday rejected Israeli statements against Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and called on the world to condemn such statements.

    Erekat's condemnation came in response to remarks by Israeli acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that Abbas would not be an independent partner given Hamas would form the next Palestinian cabinet.

    During a meeting on Sunday with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Welch, Olmert said Israel saw no separation between Abbas and the government led by Hamas.

    Israel lists Hamas as a terrorist organization.

    Erekat told Palestinian radio Voice of Palestine that such statements were totally rejected and it was an Israeli policy aimed at justifying more Israeli military operations.

    He urged the Quartet Committee and the international community to interfere in the Israeli practices in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

    Erekat also expressed hope that the Quartet Committee, grouping the United States, the European Union and the United Nations and Russia, would be committed to offering aids to the Palestinians.   Enditem