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US, Palestinian officials 'meet' US and Palestinian officials meet
(about 19 hours later)
Palestinian finance minister Salam Fayyad says he has met the US consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, in the West Bank town of Ramallah.Palestinian finance minister Salam Fayyad says he has met the US consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Mr Fayyad is a political independent included in the Hamas-led government.Mr Fayyad is a political independent included in the Hamas-led government.
Correspondents say the meeting is the first between a US official and a member of the new unity cabinet.Correspondents say the meeting is the first between a US official and a member of the new unity cabinet.
Israel is boycotting the government, while the US and EU have withheld recognition but left a door open for future ties. Israel is boycotting the government, while the US and EU have withheld recognition but left a door open for some future ties.
They say they will judge the government on its actions and have indicated they will maintain contacts with ministers who are not members of Hamas - which they consider a terrorist organisation.They say they will judge the government on its actions and have indicated they will maintain contacts with ministers who are not members of Hamas - which they consider a terrorist organisation.
A former World Bank official, Mr Fayyad is not a member of Hamas. He has held the Palestinian finance portfolio before and won international respect as a keen reformer.A former World Bank official, Mr Fayyad is not a member of Hamas. He has held the Palestinian finance portfolio before and won international respect as a keen reformer.
'Right to resist''Right to resist'
The Palestinian government had earlier defended its opening policy statement, in which Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said Palestinians had the right to resist Israeli occupation.The Palestinian government had earlier defended its opening policy statement, in which Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said Palestinians had the right to resist Israeli occupation.
Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti said the government opposed any attacks on civilians and endorsed only resistance that was acceptable under international law.Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti said the government opposed any attacks on civilians and endorsed only resistance that was acceptable under international law.
He said Palestinians were also ready to end all forms of violence if Israel would agree to a comprehensive ceasefire.He said Palestinians were also ready to end all forms of violence if Israel would agree to a comprehensive ceasefire.
Israel and the US have criticised the statement.Israel and the US have criticised the statement.
Israel says it will not deal with the new administration, and has called for a continued international boycott.Israel says it will not deal with the new administration, and has called for a continued international boycott.
On Thursday, Mr Haniya unveiled a national unity cabinet after months of negotiations between his Hamas movement and Fatah.On Thursday, Mr Haniya unveiled a national unity cabinet after months of negotiations between his Hamas movement and Fatah.