WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that it is against any possible meeting by former American president Jimmy Carter with Palestinian group Hamas officials.

    "If he does go to Syria we will provide support befitting a former president," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.

    "The State Department however will not participate in the planning or scheduling of any meetings with Hamas figures in Damascus and in fact we have counseled the former president about having such a meeting."

    "U.S. government policy is that Hamas is a terrorist organization and we believe it is not the interests of our policy or in the interests of peace to have such a meeting," the spokesman added.

    The State Department made the statement after Carter was reportedly to meet Hamas officials, including exiled leader Khaled Mashaal, during a visit to Syria next week.

    The Atlanta-based Carter Center spokeswoman Deanna Congileo confirmed there was a planned trip by Carter to the Middle East at the end of the week, but did not confirm Carter's meeting with Hamas officials.