White House seeks info on Palestinian agreement

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday it was seeking more information about a reported deal to form an interim Palestinian government between the Fatah movement and rival Hamas, calling the latter group terrorists.

"The United States supports Palestinian reconciliation on terms which promote the cause of peace. Hamas, however, is a terrorist organization which targets civilians," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.

"To play a constructive role in achieving peace, any Palestinian government must accept the Quartet principles and renounce violence, abide by past agreements, and recognize Israel's right to exist," he said.

The so-called "Quartet" is the group of Middle East peace brokers made up of the United Nations, European Union, Russia and the United States.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, Editing by Sandra Maler)