Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday held talks with visiting European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana on efforts to shore up a fragile ceasefire in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.

During the talks, the two sides mainly discussed the Middle East issues and an Egyptian initiative to reach a lasting peace and lift the siege of Gaza, said the Egyptian MENA news agency.

The 22-day Israeli military offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza ended on Jan. 18, leaving 10 Israeli soldiers, three Israeli civilians killed and around 1,400 Palestinians killed and 5,500 others wounded.

Solana also briefed Mubarak on the outcome of the meetings in Brussels on Sunday grouping European, Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian foreign ministers, during which they voiced support for the Egyptian initiative.

On Jan. 6, Mubarak presented a three-point ceasefire plan, which calls for an immediate ceasefire for a limited period to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and give Egypt time to continue its efforts to help reach a lasting truce.

Egypt would invite both Israel and the Palestinians for negotiation and help resume the inter-Palestinian reconciliation talks, according to the proposal.

Egypt had separate talks with Israel and Hamas representatives after the ceasefire in a bid to help reach a lasting truce between the two sides.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2009)