Deposed Prime Minister of Hamas in Gaza Ismail Haneya told former US President Jimmy Carter that Hamas accepts a Palestinian state established on the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

Haneya told a joint news conference after his meeting with Carter in Gaza that Hamas accepts the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied in 1967 "with Jerusalem as its capital."

Carter, meanwhile, told reporters that the principle of solving the conflict based on the two-state solution and sharing Jerusalem as a joint capital for the two states is the best for achieving a comprehensive and everlasting peace.

Haneya said, "If there is a real project that aims at resolving the Palestinian cause on establishing a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, under full Palestinian sovereignty, we will support it."

"We are pushing towards the dream of having our independent state with Jerusalem as its capital," Haneya, who stood with Carter in the news conference told reporters.

Asked about the captive Israeli soldier in Gaza Gilad Schalit, held by Hamas militants since June 2006, Haneya said "We are encouraging the talks to reach an honorable prisoners' exchange deal with Israel."

"We want to end this file according to political and humanitarian basics," said Haneya, adding "We welcome all the efforts exerted to finalize this file, in which Mr. Carter can help in order to reach a prisoners' exchange deal."

Haneya also said that Carter's visit to the region "came after the current changes in the US administration policy, where we followed with concerns President Barack Obama's speech."

"We found a new spirit and a new language in the official American speech," said Haneya, who added that he explained to Carter the reality of the Gaza Strip people's suffering due to the blockade and to the Israeli war.

Asked about the internal dialogue, Haneya said "We explained to Carter our desire and attitude to regain unity and end the current split and reach a national accordance agreement and form a national unity government."

Carter, meanwhile, stressed in the news conference on the fact that the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip has to be lifted, adding that "I support having two states with Jerusalem as a joint capital."

Asked about his feeling after touring the Gaza Strip, Carter said "My feeling is a feeling of sadness, anger and despair after seeing all this destruction that was caused to innocent people."

"I know that the Israeli destruction of houses, infrastructure, and factories in Gaza was carried out by American weapons. I hope that this won't be repeated again," said Carter.

Speaking about the inter-Palestinian situation, he said that he held talks with both Fatah and Hamas leaders, adding "I hope they will soon overcome their differences, reach an agreement and reunite. I hope that they exchange political prisoners soon."

He also said that he would send President Obama and his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and their peace envoy George Mitchell a report explaining in details the situation in the Gaza Strip."

Carter had left the Gaza Strip following the several hour-visit to the enclave controlled by Islamic Hamas movement. He visited several sites and neighborhoods and checked destruction caused by an Israeli war on Gaza ended in January 18.

Carter, who paid a significant visit to Gaza Strip, said he has tried to convince Hamas leaders to denounce violence, accept the existing interim agreements and recognize the right of the Jewish state to exist.

"I called on Hamas leaders when I met with them in Damascus and I tell Hamas leaders in Gaza today to accept these conditions. They (Hamas) made several statements, and showed readiness to join the peace and move towards establishing just and independent Palestinian state," Carter said in Gaza.

Carter, who is the highest former US diplomat to visit Gaza after Gaza offensive, toured the Gaza Strip, visited sites and neighborhoods damaged by the Israeli offensive, and held talks with Hamas' lawmakers and officials, including deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haneya.

"Hamas leaders want peace and they want to have reconciliation not only with their Fatah brothers but also eventually with Israelis to live side by side, with two nations, both sovereign nations recognized by each other and living in peace," Carter told students at a graduation ceremony in the Gaza Strip.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2009)