Ex-Finnish president, Nobel laureate slams boycott of Hamas

Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari on Saturday criticized the Western boycott of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Ahtisaari said in an interview with Sveriges Radio broadcast that it is a disgrace that the Middle East conflict remains unresolved, and that he blames a lack of international political will.

The former Finnish president says he hopes the next U.S. president will use his first year in office to find a permanent solution. He says it's clear a Palestinian state is needed, but Israelis also must be guaranteed peace.

He also it may soon be time to admit that we have to speak with the Taliban in Afghanistan instead of just sending troops to the country.