Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed the agreement reached between Hamas and Fatah to form a national unity government in Palestine, said an official statement on Saturday.

"This agreement will open the way for Palestinians to form a national unity government in Palestine, strengthen peace and stability in the region and ensure unity among Muslims around the world," Karzai said in the statement.

Leaders of Hamas and Fatah reached the agreement in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday night to end continuous civil conflicts and bloodshed.

Karzai also "praised the key role of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in settling the differences between our Palestinian brothers," the statement said.

Karzai expressed hope the Mecca Accord will help Palestinians live together in harmony and achieve their longtime desire for a peaceful life, it added.

Source: Xinhua