Syrian President Bashar Assad Sunday 30 /7/2006 received a verbal message from President Mubarak on the latest developments of the situation in Lebanon and efforts being exerted by Egypt to bring about a ceasefire.

The message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit.

Egypt's ambassador to Syria Hazim Khayrat said that Abul-Gheit expressed Egypt's appreciation of the Syrian leadership's efforts to evacuate Egyptians from Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman ambassador Alaa Al-Hadidi reaffirmed Egypt's keenness on maintaining coordination and consultation with Syria to defuse the crisis and end the Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

He said that Abul-Gheit's visit to Syria was part of an Egyptian drive to stop escalation and further deterioration.