Hamas ready for talks with US leader

London: The leader of Palestinian group Hamas says he is ready to talk to United States president-elect Barack Obama, "with an open mind".

Khaled Mesha'al told Sky News from Damascus, Syria, that "we are ready for dialogue" with the incoming administration.

The exiled leader says the election of an American president with African roots is "a big change".

The Bush administration has boycotted the group, as has most of the international community. Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel.

Meanwhile, Gaza strongman Mahmoud Zahar said on Friday he hoped Obama's victory would open a new page in relations between the United States and the Muslim world.