Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has met European Union officials in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss the crisis in Gaza.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says Egypt's involvement would be "fundamental" in efforts to find a ceasefire.

"We would like very much to obtain a ceasefire, the sooner the better. On that direction we are going to keep on working. And the cooperation with Egypt is going to be fundamental. The second thing I would like to say, as you know, we have been already engaged on the ground in Rafah in the past. We are ready to return and the Egyptians know that, and as soon as the ceasefire is obtained the possibility of being back here, cooperating in a very constructive manner."