Malaysia says 'very dangerous' to isolate Hamas

Malaysia urged the international community Monday not to ostracize Hamas in the aftermath of its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, whose country chairs the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Western countries should consider the long-term effects of their efforts to resolve the standoff between Hamas and the US-backed Fatah party. "They want to, I think, isolate Hamas, but I think this is a very dangerous move," Syed Hamid said.