RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- In the afterglow of Hamas' victory in Palestinian elections, leaders are now dealing with a burgeoning budget problem and international distrust.
Hamas beat the ruling Fatah Party with an overwhelming parliamentary win this week, but once it forms a government will face an expected 2006 budget deficit of more than $600 million, The New York Times reports.
Because of its armed militant branch and an outward support for the destruction of Israel, future financial help from around the world is at stake too.
The United States and the European Union call Hamas a terrorist organization, which would prevent giving the Palestinian Authority aid if Hamas is at the helm.
It was expecting to get about $320 million from U.S., European and Arab country coffers in 2006.
Hamas officials have played down the aid deal.
Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas diplomat, called the former Fatah leaders corrupt and said aid from Western countries went into their pockets.
He said Hamas' mission is to reform the budget and spread the money into the hands of its citizens.
Israel has also threatened to withhold the $50 million it collects in tax and customs receipts for the Palestinian Authority.
Representatives from the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations will meet in London Monday to discuss the next steps to dealing with a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
