Mubarak confers with Syrian Vice-President, FM

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt on Wednesday in Cairo met with Syrian Vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa.

Later, President Mubarak said he and President Assad are exerting all efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis to rule out a military strike against Iraq. In a statement he made after meeting with Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister al-Sharaa', President Mubarak said that their talks centered on the developments of the Iraqi crisis and the importance to bring it to a peaceful end.

President Mubarak also expressed hope that Annan' s visit to Iraq succeeds in bringing about a peaceful solution and salvage Iraq and the region from the dire consequences of using military power against Iraq.

During a telephone call with US President Mubarak stressed the importance to deal with Iraqi crisis peacefully and referred to the extensive efforts of Russia, France and the Arab league to rule out the military option.