Khaled Meshaal, visiting the Sudanese capital Khartoum, said representatives of Hamas would attend a summit of Arab leaders next month to ask for support for the new Palestinian leadership.

Mr Meshaal called on the international community to respect the democratic vote of the Palestinian people to elect Hamas.

The invitation from Russia, part of the quartet including the European Union, United States and United Nations mediating the Middle East peace process, surprised Western governments who have ruled out talks with Hamas until it renounces violence and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

Hamas won an overwhelming majority in last month's election and is expected to form the majority in a new Palestinian Government.