SAUDIS TO FUND HAMAS

Hamas says gets Saudi promise on continued aid.

RIYADH (Reuters) - Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had vowed to remain one of the biggest financial backers of the Palestinians, despite U.S. and European threats to cut aid. The United States and the European Union have threatened to tighten the taps on the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas, which is gearing up to form its new government, gives up its armed struggle against Israel and recognizes the Jewish state. Hamas leaders are in Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter and birthplace of Islam, on a tour of Arab and other countries seeking support after their surprise win in parliamentary elections in January. “They affirmed that political and financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian people would continue,” said Ezzat El-Resheq, a member of Hamas’ politburo. “We did not go into numbers, but they promised excellent support,” he told Reuters, referring to a meeting the delegation had with Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Friday night. Resheq declined to say whether Riyadh had promised to increase funding to fill gaps caused by Western countries. Saudi officials were not immediately available for comment. Saudi Arabia is largely seen as the biggest financial backer of the Palestinian Authority. Saudi citizens and charitable foundations donate some $150 million each year to support social and economic projects in the Palestinian territories. On Saturday, the Palestinian delegation held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Prince Saud and Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz, the Saudi intelligence chief, the state news agency SPA reported without giving details.