( dpa ) - The Islamic Hamas movement would be willing to accept a peace treaty with Israel negotiated by President Mahmoud Abbas, if the deal was approved by Palestinians in a referendum, former US president Jimmy Carter said Monday.
Speaking in Jerusalem, Carter said Hamas would accept a peace deal even if it did not agree with some of the terms of the agreement.
Carter met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Damascus on Friday and Saturday.
Israel, the United States and Western European countries boycott Hamas because of its refusal to renounce violence and change its charter to recognize Israel's right to exist.