United Nations Radio

The international community has warned that funding for Palestinians could be at risk if a future government led by the militant group Hamas continues to advocate violence.

Representatives from the Quartet on the Middle East - made up of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States - also sought to stabilize the finances of the Palestinian Authority. In a statement after talks in London, the Quartet expressed concern over the fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority and called for measures to facilitate the work of the caretaker government.

The quartet's declaration was read by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"The Quartet concluded that it was inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and the acceptance of previous agreements and obligations including the road map."

Under the road map, Israel is to work with the elected Palestinian officials to work out a plan for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and the Palestinians are to clamp down on terrorist activities against Israelis.