GAZA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The deposed government of Islamic Hamas movement in Gaza denied on Tuesday that secret talks were held with some advisors of elected U.S. President Barack Obama.

    "The Palestinian government denies what has been published earlier that a secret meeting was held between Hamas and some of new-elected President Barak Obama's advisors," Hamas government said in a statement.

    Right after Obama was elected earlier last week, Hamas politburo Khaled Mashaal stated that his movement has no reservations to hold talks with the new U.S. administration "if the latter respects the legitimate Palestinian rights."

    "The government reiterates that it doesn't reject holding such kinds of contacts or meetings, but it hasn't happened. But if it happens, we won't be hesitant or afraid to declare about it," said Hamas government.

    Earlier, Mashaal said in an interview to Sky News that Hamas is ready for dialogue with Obama and his new administration as long as the U.S. administration respects the rights and options of the Palestinians.

    Hamas, which won in the last legislative elections in January 2006, has been always refusing to hold contacts with the United States. After the elections, the U.S., which is part of the international Quartet, imposed an embargo on Hamas.

    "The government believes that the upcoming new American administration is under a great moral test related to what extent this administration would respect democracy and the rights of the Palestinian people," Hamas government said.

    Hamas government's premier Ismail Haneya has earlier told a group of European parliamentarians who visited in Gaza that his movement would accept a Palestinian state on the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

    The U.S., the European Union and Israel are still listing Hamas movement among the world groups and organizations of terrorism. Hamas rejected the world's requirements, mainly recognizing the state of Israel in order to lift the embargo.