Hamas: McCain, Obama both 'awful'

Hamas officials voiced skepticism on Tuesday that the United States presidential election would result in a change in U.S. policy in the Middle East and toward the group, Israel Radio reported.

Israel Radio quoted a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoom, as describing the choice between the Republican candidate John McCain and his Democratic rival Barack Obama as one between two "awful" options.

However, Hamas' Damascus-based political chief Khaled Meshal said that the Palestinian militant group would welcome any change in U.S. policy - especially if it corrected what he termed "bias" toward Israel. He added that Hamas is prepared to work with any U.S. president.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio also reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said on Tuesday that Israel must demand a public commitment from the next U.S. president that Jerusalem will not be divided. One of the key reasons Yishai cited for his ultra-Orthodox party not joining a coalition headed by Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni was her refusal to rule out reaching a compromise on Jerusalem in peace talks with the Palestinians.