Palestinian militant group Hamas said Sunday that it is ready to hold talks with any international party, including the United States and Britain.

    Musheer al Masri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told a local radio that his movement welcomes any dialogue with any part except Israel, "only if this serves the Palestinian people's aspiration and interests."

He said Hamas has received letters from both Washington and London "expressing readiness to hold a dialogue with Hamas."

    The United States, Britain and the European Union list Hamas as a terrorist group, but they have shown willingness to talk with it amid a surging popularity of Hamas among the Palestinians.

"Hamas is a fundamental and important part of the Palestinian community and wishes to become a political partner to serve the interests of the Palestinian people," said Masri.

    Hamas put up a strong showing in the first and second stages of the municipal elections, posing a major challenge to the ruling Fatah movement in the forthcoming parliamentary elections due on July 17.

Masri said representatives of Hamas have met several times with US and British officials, the first time a Hamas official acknowledged the existence of such a contact.

    "It is natural that Hamas doesn't want to have any more enemies in the world, since its basic and central battle is with the Zionist enemy," Masri said.

    Israel opposes holding talks between Hamas and international parties, mainly Europe. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said such talks would hurt the peace process.

Source: Xinhua