UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon urged on Tuesday the future Israeli government to strongly back a two-state solution, calling also on the international community to promote a return of both sides to negotiating table.

"The prospect of a two-state solution continues to recede, with potentially explosive consequences," Ban told a UN Security Council meeting, chaired by Nasser Judeh, minister of foreign affairs of Jordon, which holds council's presidency for the month of April.

Netanyahu has delayed formation of his new government, asking for another two weeks beyond the Wednesday deadline, which would target May 6.

Ahead of his re-election last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dropped his long-standing support of a Palestinian state and vowed to strengthen construction of settlements in occupied east Jerusalem, dpa reported.

"I strongly urge the incoming government to reaffirm Israel's commitment to the two-state solution and to take credible steps to foster an environment conducive to a return to meaningful negotiations, including a freeze of settlement activity," Ban said.

Ban admitted there were serious challenges before any final breakthrough. However, he emphasized that Israelis and Palestinians should decide "whether to choose peace or the death, destruction and suffering that has defined the conflict for far too long."