UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has begun a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories saying the international community "strongly supports" Palestinian efforts to build a viable state.

The Secretary General began his visit in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Mr Ban urged the Palestinians and Israelis to resume peace talks. He said talks on the creation of a Palestinian state should not take more than two years.

On Friday, the Middle East Quartet, comprising the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, called on Israel to immediately stop building Jewish settlements in occupied territory. The Quartet stressed in particular that Israel must reverse its decision to build 1600 homes in East Jerusalem.

Later on Saturday, Mr Ban will meet Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.