Cairo - European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tuesday met with Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak in Cairo for talks on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The two discussed efforts to consolidate a lasting ceasefire, opening Gaza's borders to facilitate humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and Egypt's efforts to reconcile rival Palestinian factions.

Solana's visit, which started Monday night, was part of a two-day Middle East tour which would also take him to Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel.

The meeting also included Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Miloslav Stasek, the Czech ambassador in Cairo. The Czech Republic currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

On Monday, the European Commission announced that it was providing 58 million euros (74.3 million dollars) in humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinians this year.

The EU has also offered to redeploy a monitoring team at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to stop arms smuggling into Gaza. (dpa)