UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday welcomed the signing of a ceasefire deal in Yemen, considering it a "positive step" for the country.

"The secretary-general expects that the agreement will be implemented in full without delay," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

Specifically, Ban called on Yemeni political leaders to ensure that their forces cease all violent acts, and disengage from the conflict.

The Yemeni government and Houthi rebels agreed on Sunday night to cease fire in the capital Sanaa immediately, nominate a prime minister in a week, form a technocrat government within a month and decrease fuel prices.

The peace agreement put an end to deadly clashes between the rebels and the army, which broke out on Tuesday in northwestern Sanaa and has left more than 200 people killed, including about 50 civilians.

In Sunday's statement, Ban further called for the return of all government institutions.

Commending the Yemenis' effort to reach the agreement, the UN chief expressed the world organization's engagement with all Yemeni political leaders as they seek to build a "new, democratic Yemen that responds to the legitimate aspirations of all its citizens."