The United States reiterated on Tuesday that it will not engage with Hamas, a major Palestinian organization controlling the Gaza Strip, and Islamic militant group Hezbollah of Lebanon, before they renounce violence and recognize Israel.

Requirements to Hamas and Hezbollah must include recognizing the right of Israel to exist and renouncing "terrorist activities," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

"There are activities and responsibilities that have to be undertaken by those organizations well before this administration can render a judgment," Gibbs said.

The White House made the statement after American ally Britain announced last week that it would have low-level contact with the political wing of Hezbollah in a bid to stress the urgency of disbanding militias.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2009)