United Nations, Feb 8, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is encouraged by the effort of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz to mediate between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Wednesday. Ban Ki-moon is pleased by the positive atmosphere in which this dialogue has begun, Montas told reporters. He is following developments closely, and hopes that the talks will be successful. The Saudi monarch hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Hamas leader Khald Meshaal in Makkah on Wednesdayto try to bridge differences between the two parties.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/423876