Speaking at a White House news conference today, Bush reiterated that the United States will not deal with Palestinian leaders who seek to destroy Israel.
"A political party that articulates the destruction of Israel as part of its platform is a party with which we will not deal," Bush said.
Bush urged Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to remain in office after the apparent Hamas victory over Abbas's Fatah faction in Palestinian legislative elections on 25 January.
(with AP)