UN welcomes new Palestine unity government

United Nations, June 4: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the formation of a

unity government headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, and said he hoped that new opportunities will emerge soon for progress towards a two-state solution with

.

The formation of the government of national consensus was announced by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday, and follows the reconciliation deal reached in April by rival factions Fatah and Hamas.

The UN had received assurances that the deal would be implemented on the basis of previous commitments such as the recognition of Israel and non-violence.

"The United Nations has long underscored the need for progress towards Palestinian unity in line with existing resolutions, within the framework of the Palestinian Authority and the commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organisation," said a statement issued by the secretary-general's spokesperson Tuesday.

"The Secretary-General takes note of the renewed assurances by President Abbas that the government will continue to abide by those commitments of recognition of Israel, non-violence and adherence to previous agreements," it said.

"The Secretary-General also notes that the Palestine Liberation Organisation will remain responsible for holding peace negotiations with the state of Israel, a commitment President Abbas has reaffirmed, and hopes that new opportunities for progress toward a two-State solution will emerge soon," it stated.

The statement added that the UN stood ready to lend its full support to the new government in its effort to reunite the West Bank and Gaza, in line with the unity deal, under one legitimate Palestinian authority, including by addressing the serious political, security, humanitarian and economic challenges in Gaza, and holding long overdue elections.

IANS