China welcomes the signing of an agreement in Mecca on Thursday by leaders of Palestinian Fatah and Hamas movements, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in Beijing on Friday.

"China has always supported the efforts among Palestinians of safeguarding national unity and reconciliation, and welcomes the signing of Mecca agreement," said Jiang.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, Prime Minister Haneya of Hamas and exiled Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal signed the agreement in Mecca on Thursday night on forming a national unity government aimed at ending infighting and lifting international siege.

"China also appreciates the role that some Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have played in promoting the signing of this agreement," said Jiang.

"China hopes a Palestinian national unity government can be setup as soon as possible and the negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis be resumed early," she said.

The Mecca agreement consists of four major points. The first is a prohibition of shedding the Palestinian blood (ending all kinds of fighting) and the second is formation of a national unity government.

The third and fourth points in the agreement are related to the formation of Palestine Liberation Organization and also manifesting the political partnership among all Palestinian powers and factions.

(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2007)