WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States insisted on Thursday that the new Palestinian government should abide by the conditions put forward by the Quartet, or the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.

    "Our position has been consistent, which is: You need a Palestinian government that is going to, in fact, abide by the Quartet conditions," White House spokesman Tony Snow said at a briefing.

    Snow made the remarks after Palestinian Hamas and Fatah movements formed a unity government Thursday. The new government's platform calls for continued observance of a truce with Israel but falls short of the Quartet requirements that the new government recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous peace deals.

    The United States has vowed not to deal with the Hamas-led Palestinian government until the radical Islamic group renounces violence and recognizes the existence of Israel.

    Moreover, the Bush administration has suspended direct aid and contacts with the Hamas-led Palestinian government.