UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked Israel to extend settlement freeze in the West Bank, amid fears that end of the moratorium could prompt Palestine to pull out of direct peace talks with the Jewish state.A moratorium on settlements expired on the 26th of last month and despite facing pressure from the international community, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet extended the freeze policy.In a telephonic conversation with Netanyahu, Ban renewed his hope that the Government of Israel would extend its settlement restraint policy and underscored the need to create a conducive environment for successful negotiations. According to a statement issued from his office said that Ban reiterated that negotiations are the only way for Israel and the Palestinians to resolve all final status issues and realise their aspirations. Ban separately also called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Senator George Mitchell, US Envoy for the Middle East.Ban welcomed continuing US efforts to sustain direct talks and offered his continued support to efforts to promote peace and encouraged Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to continue their efforts to find a way forward.