"I am convinced that thanks to our meetings in Arab and Muslim countries... we will be able to reach a common vision allowing us to preserve Palestinian rights whilst demonstrating realism," Khaled Meshaal told reporters.
The top leader of the group that has led a bloody campaign of attacks against Israel in recent years was speaking after a meeting with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa and two days of talks with Egyptian officials.
Mr Meshaal, who heads the Damascus-based politburo, and a group of the movement's top leaders from the Gaza Strip have discussed Hamas's position following their resounding victory in the January 25 parliamentary polls.
Israel has warned it will not transfer funds owed to the Palestinian Authority to a Hamas-led government. Moreover, the United States and Europe have threatened to curtail funding if Hamas does not commit itself to non-violence and recognise the Jewish state's right to exist.
Conciliatory language
Hamas leaders have used uncharacteristically conciliatory language over the past few days and Mr Meshaal used the word "realism" several times on Tuesday.
He did not explicitly rule out a recognition of the predominantly Jewish state but said the ball was in Israel's court.
"When Israel says it recognises Palestinian rights and when it pulls out of our territory and accepts our rights, then the Palestinians and the Arabs will probably be willing to cooperate and take a positive step," he said.
Mr Meshaal also voiced his confidence that Hamas could find alternative sources of funding should Western powers turn off the tap.
"We are not exempting the international community of its obligations towards the Palestinian people, but we have more faith in our Muslim and Arab environment," he told reporters.
"We are confident we can use this assistance in a clean and honest way," he added.
Mr Meshaal and several other top Hamas officials are due to embark on a tour of the region in a bid to muster support. The details of their schedule were not known.
Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman had said last week that
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas would not invite Hamas to form the next government unless it renounced violence and recognised Israel.
Earlier another Hamas official in Cairo said Hamas would formally ask its political rival Fatah to join a new government.
"We are going to sit down with them and officially propose that they take part in the government," senior Hamas official Ismail Haniya said after talks in Cairo late Monday.
"We are awaiting the official response from the Fatah leadership," Haniya was quoted as saying by the news agency MENA after a meeting with Mr Suleiman.
Olmert’s final borders
Meanwhile Israel’s interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has defined the major settlement blocs he wants Israel to retain in any final peace deal with the Palestinians.
He cited the two biggest Jewish settlements, Maale Adumim and Ariel, as well as the Gush Etzion bloc south of Jerusalem and said Israel could not give up the strategically important Jordan Valley to the east.
He also indicated that some West Bank territory would have to be given up as settlements are consolidated.
"We will separate from much of the Palestinian population that lives in (the West Bank)," he said in a television interview that echoed comments he has made since becoming interim prime minister last month.
"That obligates us to separate from territories that Israel is in today. We will convene to the central settlement blocs.
"The direction is clear: we are aiming for separation with the Palestinians (in the West Bank). We are aiming to fix the final borders of the State of Israel," he said.
Mr Olmert has said he hoped to pursue peacemaking with the
Palestinians, a prospect that has appeared more unlikely since
Hamas scored a crushing victory over the long dominant Fatah party in Palestinian parliamentary elections last month.
Olmert has said in the absence of a peace deal Israel could take unilateral moves -- a reference to the removal of isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory it captured in the 1967 Middle East War and which Palestinians want for a state.
Kadima, the centrist party Olmert took over after Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon's massive stroke on January 4, is the frontrunner in Israel's March 28 general election.
Palestinian officials were not immediately available to comment.
Jordan urges peace
Jordan's King Abdullah II has defended the Palestinians and urged a resumption of the Middle East peace process in a meeting in Washington with Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, Jordan's embassy in the US said.
"King Abdullah stressed the importance of dealing with the new realities created by Hamas' victory in the Palestinian elections" when he held talks with Mr Livni, a statement from Jordan's embassy said.
"He stated that Jordan will deal with the new Palestinian government once it is created, and that Jordan will continue to support the Palestinian National Authority. He said that Jordan shall remain committed to its position advocating the return of both sides to the negotiating table."
"His Majesty warned of the danger of abandoning the Palestinians at this critical moment.
"In reiterating the need to respect the decision of the Palestinian people, King Abdullah called on the international community to continue delivering much needed aid to the Palestinians.
"He added that it is important not to disregard the new government before reviewing its agenda first," the statement said.
Executions: Annan
At the same time UN chief Kofi Annan expressed concern about Israel's recent targeted killings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip but also slammed the repeated rocket attacks against Israel.
"The Secretary General has noted with concern that in recent days Israel has conducted several targeted killings in the West Bank and Gaza strip," Mr Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman.
"While recognizing Israels right to defend its citizens, targeted killings place innocent bystanders at grave risk and amount to executions without trial," the statement added.
Mr Annan also noted with concern "the repeated rocket attacks against Israel emanating from the Gaza Strip" and underscored the need for all parties "to respect international humanitarian law, and to refrain from actions that could lead to an escalation of violence."
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, linked to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas's defeated Fatah movement, were killed on Tuesday in what was the fourth Israeli air strike on Gaza in three days.