US condemns suicide bombing in Tel Aviv

WASHINGTON - The White House today warned the new Hamas government that any sponsorship of terrorism by Palestinian officials would have the "gravest effects" on its relations with countries seeking peace in the Middle East.

In condemning a Palestinian suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed at least nine people and wounded 60 others, the White House said the burden of responsibility for preventing such attacks rested with the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli government said it held the new Hamas-led Palestinian Authority responsible for the attack, which a spokesman for Hamas said was "a natural result of the continued Israeli crimes against our people."

"Defence or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian cabinet will have the gravest effects on relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

A Palestinian government that encouraged or tolerated terrorism would harm the interests of the Palestinians and "ensure its own further isolation," he said.

"We reiterate that the United States will have no contact with such a government and we call upon all states to demand that it abandon its support for terror," McClellan said.

- REUTERS