Middle East

Carter meets Hamas' Meshaal in Syria

Article published on the 2008-04-18 Latest update 2008-04-18 15:01 TU

Jimmy Carter at the American University in Cairo
(Photo : Reuters)

Former US president Jimmy Carter continued his tour of the Middle East, stopping in Syria Friday despite criticism from the US and Israel. He met exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus to discuss a Hamas-Israel truce, according to Hamas officials. His insistence on discussing with the Palestinian party which runs the Gaza Strip has angered Israel and the White House.

Carter made no comment after the five-hour meeting, but Hamas official Mohmmed Nazzal told reporters that parties on both sides were scheduled to discuss the fate of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants in 2006.

Mahmud Zahar was one of the Hamas leaders who met with Carter Thursday and said discussions had covered humanitarian questions related to a ceasefire, the Israeli embargo on Gaza and the same Israeli captive.

The former US president met Syrian President Bashaar al-Asaad on Friday.

Fifty-one-year-old Meshaal is a founding member of Hamas and is considered a hardliner within the organisation. He has been at the head of the group since 2004 when his predecessor Abdelaziz Al-Rantissi was assasinated.

Israel accuses him of ordering attacks within Israel and of seizing Israeli soldiers. He survived an assasination attempt by Mossad in 1997.

Israeli Industry Minister Eli Yishai says he is willing to meet Hamas leaders so as to negotiate the release of prisoners. Carter himself says that US attempts to undermine Hamas are counterproductive.

Amos Gilad of the Israeli Defense Ministry described any meeting with Hamas as "shameful".

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently described Hamas as the "principle obstacle to peace" while the White House said Carter was acting in a personal capacity.