BREAKING NEWS

Arab League leader Moussa backs Russia-Hamas talks

Arab League leader Amr Moussa on Monday said he supports Russia's initiative to hold talks with Hamas, despite strong objections by Israel. Moussa called Israeli objections to the meetings "nonsense." Moussa told the Associated Press that "the time has changed. Many people are sick and tired of the policies of isolation and exclusion." He was speaking on the sidelines of a financial conference in Athens. Russia's Mideast peace partners, including the United States, insist that Hamas must recognize Israel and stop violence before it can join any international talks. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the top Hamas political leader in Syria on Saturday, while Moscow has invited Hamas leaders for talks.