"Egypt will continue supporting the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the Palestinian people to help them realize their cherished goals, namely the establishment of an independent state," Abul Gheit was quoted as saying by the Egyptian official MENA news agency.

Abul Gheit said that Egypt, a major power in the Middle East, would also ask the United States and the European Union to continue supporting the PNA and the Palestinian people.

Egypt "was seeking to make a breakthrough as regards the delivery of the needed humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people through its extensive contacts with all parties concerned...," he said.

The Egyptian top diplomat, however, indicated that Hamas should change some of its hardline policies, including the group's refusal to recognize Israel.

He said that Egypt would continue to support the Palestinians, but "the problem lies in the non-recognition of Israel as a state by some on the Palestinian side."

Abul Gheit also called on the Hamas-led Palestinian government to accept previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

The United States and the European Union cut off financial aid to the Palestinian government after Hamas took office in March, urging the group to recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence and accept previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

Israel has also halted the monthly transfer of about 50 million U.S. dollars of tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PNA since Hamas won the parliamentary elections in January.

The Palestinians have been largely dependent on financial aid from the West.