Ismail Haniya, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, condemned the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a U.S. raid in Pakistan.

"We condemn any killing of a holy warrior or of a Muslim and Arab person and we ask God to bestow his mercy upon him," Haniya said during a meeting with journalists in Gaza.

"If the news is true, then we consider it a continuation of the American policy based on oppression and bloodshed against Arabs and Muslims."

Haniya said he condemned bin Laden's killing "despite the difference in interpretations between us." He did not elaborate, AP reported.