Hamas says Carter will meet two of its leaders

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas said on Wednesday former U.S. President Jimmy Carter would meet two of its leaders from Gaza in Egypt, in further defiance of Israeli leaders, who have shunned him over his contacts with the Islamist group.

Hamas official Ayman Taha told Reuters senior leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar and Saeed Seyam would travel to Cairo later in the day for talks with Carter, who began a Middle East visit on Sunday.

"Mr Carter asked for the meeting. He wanted to hear the Hamas vision regarding the situation, and we are interested in clarifying our position and emphasising the rights of our people," Taha said.

Carter's delegation in Israel declined to comment.

Speaking at a peace forum in a hotel in Arab East Jerusalem, Carter said that to have Hamas "completely excluded even from conversations or consultations, I think, is counterproductive". He did not say who he planned to meet in Egypt.

Carter had wanted to visit the Gaza Strip, which is governed by Hamas, but Israel rejected his request.

All the border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip are controlled by the Jewish state. Egyptian forces are stationed at Gaza's southern border, which is usually closed.

On Tuesday, in the occupied West Bank, Carter met Naser al-Shaer, who served as deputy prime minister in the Hamas-led government that the United States and other Western powers boycotted.