The international community yesterday called on Hamas to recognise Israel and renounce violence in the wake of the militant Islamic group's electoral victory last week, or face a reduction in funding for the Palestinians.

At a meeting in London of the "Quartet" - the US, EU, Russia and the United Nations - officials said it was inevitable that future aid to any new government would be reviewed in the light of Hamas's adherence to such principles, as well as to previous agreements such as the "road map" to peace.