UN tells Hamas to recognise Israel

United Nations: The UN Security Council told Hamas on Friday that a future Palestinian government must recognise Israel.

Hamas was also told to commit itself to a negotiated settlement of the Mideast conflict culminating in two independent states living side-by-side in peace.

The council commented for the first time on the militant group's surprise victory in the January 25 Palestinian elections in a presidential statement that was delayed because of Qatar's demand for more criticism of Israel.

It congratulated the Palestinian people "on an electoral process that was free, fair and secure" and commended all parties involved in preparing and conducting the elections.

The council welcomed the commitment by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah Party was defeated in the election, to the roadmap to peace drafted by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.

It also welcomed his commitment to a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and previous agreements between the two parties.

"The Security Council expresses its view that all members of a future Palestinian government must be committed to the aforementioned instruments and principles," the council said in the statement read at a formal meeting by US Ambassador John Bolton, the current council president.

It underlined the need for the Palestinian National Authority "to prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle the infrastructure of terror."

Without naming Israel, it also called for a halt to colony expansion and expressed concern about the route of the wall Israel is building to keep out Palestinian attackers.