MIDDLE EAST:Britain intends to allow diplomatic contacts with non-Hamas members of a Palestinian unity government, in contrast with an Israeli decision to shun the entire cabinet, European diplomats said yesterday.
"Britain is not going to have contact with Hamas but there are members of the government who are not Hamas and British diplomats will be able to have contact with them," a senior diplomat briefed on the new position said.
A formal British announcement is expected after the unity government between Hamas Islamists and President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction wins parliamentary approval today.
Britain's position is significant because of the country's close relationship with the United States, which was expected to adopt Israel's line and boycott the new government.
Britain has until now had a "no-contact" policy, much like the United States and Israel.
British contacts will be allowed with Fatah members and independents in the new cabinet, including the designated finance minister, Salam Fayyad, a western-backed reformer, as well as the incoming foreign minister, Ziad Abu Amr.
France has already invited Mr Amr to visit Paris.
Israel has announced that it will boycott the new cabinet, just as it shunned its Hamas-run predecessor, and has urged foreign powers, including the European Union, to follow suit.