Hamas will have to accept the Beirut initiative, which calls for full Arab recognition of Israel, despite its declared stands, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa, said on Friday following the Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative elections.
Mousa added that the diplomatic process in the Middle East must follow the Beirut guidelines, which include a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.
When presented, the initiative which was approved by the Arab League in 2002, was rejected by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
The statements of Mousa came while he was speaking at a conference on the results of PA election during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Ministry Director General, Yossi Bachar, said at the same conference that Israel is considering stopping the funds to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas won a vast majority in the elections.
Bachar said that Hamas is still calling for the destruction of Israel, and that if the movement wants to hold talks with Israel it will have to find a solution.
"I cannot see how will they get money", he said, "the P.A budget depends on customs and value-added tax revenue which Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians, and aid from Saudi Arabia"
Meanwhile, James Wolfensohn, World Bank special envoy in charge of coordination between the P.A and donor countries, said on Friday that he believes that the world will terminate the aid after Hamas won the elections and became in full power.
"As soon as next week, the P.A will not have money to pay its employees’ salaries", he added.
Mohammed Mustafa, the economic advisor of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, stated on Friday that in order for Hamas to succeed, it will have to adopt the diplomatic agenda of Abbas.
