GAZA CITY (AFP) — Hamas premier Ismail Haniya urged US President Barack Obama to correct the "mistakes" of his predecessor George W. Bush, the Islamists said on Wednesday as the new US Middle East envoy arrived in Israel.
"Given that you are a man who incarnates victory after a long struggle, we hope that you will rectify the errors of the previous administration," Haniya wrote in a letter.
"Today we join you in the march toward change, change that will bring justice for all," he said.
"Palestine is the door to the Muslim world," Haniya wrote, in an apparent reference to Obama's comments reaching out to the Muslim world following his inauguration.
"Justice and freedom for Palestinians is the key that will open this door."
The text of the letter was posted on a Hamas website, which did not say how the message, which also congratulated Obama on his inauguration, was sent to the US president.
Washington considers Hamas a terrorist organisation.
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