United Nations, Feb 9 (NNN-KUNA) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the announcement in Mecca of an agreement on a Palestinian National Unity Government and commended Saudi King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to help bring about this "very important step" forward.

His press office said in a statement late Thursday that Ban "hopes that this agreement earlier in the day will curb the violence, creating a better future for the Palestinian people."

The statement added that Ban "looks forward to discussing the way ahead with the parties and regional and Quartet partners."

The agreement came after weeks of internal fighting between Fatah and Hamas supporters, which left scores dead and injured.