Special report: Internal situation in Palestine

    JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that she believes the international economic boycott on the Hamas-led Palestinian government is effective and should be maintained.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pose for a photo in Jerusalem, Oct. 4, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)Photo Gallery >>>

    Rice made the remarks at a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem Thursday morning.

    During the 40-minute talks, Livni stressed that the weapons embargo on Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah must be enforced.

    Rice later met with Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz.

    On Wednesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also met Rice and informed her that Israel would not agree to release Palestinian prisoners before the return of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

    "With all my desire to help, I will not agree to release Palestinian prisoners before Gilad Shalit is returned to Israel," Olmert told Rice.

    Release of Palestinian prisoners without return of Shalit first would bring about heightened demands from Hamas, asserted Olmert.

    He, however, told Rice that Israel would help Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to "create a better environment" and return to peacemaking.

    Rice met with Olermt after she finished the talks with Abbas in Ramallah on Wednesday.

    Abbas and Rice discussed the crises facing the Palestinians and the way in which the U.S. could bolster the chairman's position.

    Throughout her visit in the Middle East this week, Rice has emphasized her intention to rally moderate elements in the region to bolster the embattled Abbas in his power struggles with the Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas. Enditem