Mubarak however said that Egypt will keep its border crossings with Gaza closed until his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas regains authority over the territory and a 2005 deal governing their operation is respected.

"We in Egypt are not going to contribute to perpetuating the rift (between Abbas and Gaza's Hamas rulers) by opening the Rafah crossing in the absence of the Palestinian Authority and EU observers in violation of the 2005 deal" between Abbas and Israel, Mubarak said in a televised speech.

The 2005 accord, which coincided with Israel's withdrawal of troops and settlers from Gaza, provided for EU observers to monitor the border and operate surveillance cameras to allow Israel to keep an eye on comings and goings.

The deal fell into abeyance when Hamas seized control of Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas in June last year.


Agencies