French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Tuesday welcomed the Hamas-led Palestinian government's condemnation of this week's bombing attacks in Egypt, describing the move as its "first" and "major foreign policy step".

"This is a major foreign policy step," said the minister, "not only has this attack been condemned by Israel, by Mahmud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, but also -- for the first time -- by Hamas."

Palestinian government spokesman Ghazi Hamad declared on Monday evening that the authority led by Hamas firmly condemned the criminal acts. He said the bombings flouted their faith, had shaken Palestinian national security, and had played against Arabic interests.

Last week the French government expressed regret over Hamas's failure to condemn a recent Tel Aviv suicide bombing in which nine people died.

The blasts in Dahab late on Monday killed at least 23 people, including three foreigners, and injured some 87 others.

According to the French minister, two French citizens were slightly injured.

Source: Xinhua