SOUTH AFRICA UNCONDITIONALLY RECOGNIZES LEGITIMACY OF HAMAS

Mbeki `unconditionally’ recognizes Hamas (JTA)
South Africa “unconditionally” recognizes the legitimacy of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. South African President Thabo Mbeki met Friday in Cape Town with P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas and pledged that South Africa would continue to offer the Palestinian Authority assistance although it’s now governed by Hamas, a terrorist group shunned by Israel, the United States and Europe. Mbeki said his government offered a Hamas-led authority “unconditional acceptance,” but urged the group to recognize Israel.