Palestinian PM Ismail Haniya has reiterated that his Hamas-led government will not recognize Israel.

This a key demand of Western donors who have suspended direct aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Mr Haniya is on a visit to the Iranian capital, Tehran. He made the comments during a Friday prayers address.

He said efforts to "liberate usurped Palestinian lands" would never stop, and he praised Iran for its support of the Palestinian people.

His four-day visit to Iran began on Thursday with talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr Haniya is expected to meet Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali during the visit.

Standing with Iran

"We will not give up our Jihadist movement until the full liberation of Beit al-Muqqadas [Jerusalem] and Palestinian land," Mr Haniya said.

"We are standing by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and with this country we will resist American and Zionist pressures," he said.

Iran, like Hamas, refuses to recognize Israel.

Tehran is reported to have given Hamas US $120m since it came to power.

The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority has been in financial crisis since Hamas took over. International donors insist that Hamas recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

Mr Haniya's tour of the Middle East has already taken in Qatar, Bahrain and Syria.

Photo Caption

Ismail Haniya in Tehran