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Associated Press - June 17, 2009 2:24 PM ET
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - A senior official of Hamas praised former President Jimmy Carter, a day after Carter met with the group. But the official says Carter failed to persuade the Islamic rulers of Gaza to accept certain demands, including recognizing Israel.
Carter visited Gaza on Tuesday and urged Hamas leaders to accept the demands to end an international boycott, which was imposed when the militant group overran Gaza two years ago.
Carter's meeting was unusual because of the boycott. The United States, European Union and Israel consider Hamas a terror group and refuse to deal with it directly.
Ahmed Youssef, the deputy Hamas foreign minister, saysd Gaza's Palestinians were pleased to receive Carter. But Youssef told The Associated Press that recognizing Israel is completely unacceptable.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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