Visiting US Democratic Senator John Kerry on Sunday voiced his appreciation of the ongoing Egyptian efforts to help consolidate a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.

Kerry, chairman of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, held talks earlier in the day with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the state MENA news agency reported.

Following the talks, Kerry lauded Egypt's efforts exerted on reaching peace in the Middle East, particularly on cementing the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian groups in Gaza and realizing inter-Palestinian reconciliation.

During the talks, Mubarak reviewed the preparation work for an Egypt-hosted international conference on the reconstruction of Gaza scheduled for March 2 in Cairo.

Kerry voiced his hope that the Cairo conference would be successful.

Kerry arrived in Egypt on Saturday for a two-day visit, the first leg of his regional tour that will also take him to Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

Talking about the reason of his upcoming visit to Syria, which is rare for senior US officials, Kerry said it comes within the framework of "US commitment towards achieving peace and stability in the region."

The United States froze diplomatic relations with Syria following the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Washington blamed it on Syria, while Syria denied involvement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)