"We stressed our commitment to preserve Palestinian rights and principles, first, foremost among them the right of return and the right of resistance until defeating the occupation [Israel] and establishing a Palestinian state with full sovereignty with Jerusalem as its capital," Haniya said.

Haniya, who told reporters on Monday that efforts to form a national unity government had not reached a dead end, said his group was committed to forming such a cabinet to secure the lifting of international sanctions imposed since his government took power.

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, announced last week that months of negotiations with Hamas had not led to an agreement for a moderate government that could win international recognition and help end the foreign aid boycott.

The talks became deadlocked over the distribution of key portfolios and the government's platform, with Hamas rejecting international demands that it renounce violence and recognise Israel.