WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. and Israeli officials reacted cautiously to word that Hamas and Fatah had agreed to reconciliation and a government of national unity.
Officials in both the United States and Israel have said they would end economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority only if a national unity government recognizes Israel, abandons violence against Israel and accepts previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
The accord signed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshal says only that earlier agreements must be accorded "respect."
Tom Casey, a U.S. State Department spokesman, said officials are still studying the document.
"The international community has made it clear that in order to be able to have a broader relationship with the Palestinian Authority government, that those principles are going to have to be met," Casey said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said his government expects other countries to stick to their commitments about the requirements to end the sanctions, Haaretz reported.
