ISLAMABAD, June 8: The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority will overcome crippling international sanctions by exercising ‘patience,’ the top Palestinian envoy said on Thursday.

The Palestinian government has been slapped crushing economic sanctions mainly by Israel, United States and several European nations because of Hamas’ refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel’s right to exist.

“We are going to make an end for these sanctions by patience and by such (a) campaign I think we will succeed,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar told Associated Press in Islamabad where he was on a two-day visit. Mr Zahar said the Palestinian Authority had paid salaries to “40,000 families.” He did not elaborate.—AP