Abbas meets Egyptian delegation in Gaza

GAZA, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met with a senior Egyptian security delegation in Gaza Sunday to discuss a truce between Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the meeting is part of continuing political and security efforts made by Egypt to achieve peace and stability in the region.

He said Abbas is scheduled to meet in Ramallah Monday with U.S. Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice before he heads to joint the regional pace summit Tuesday at Sharm el Sheikh Resort in Egypt.

The Egyptian delegation is headed by Brig. Mustafa al Beheiri, deputy chief of Egyptian intelligence. The delegation includes a number of security officers and diplomats that would start meetings with different Palestinian levels.

Al Beheiri told reporters that the delegation would stay in the territories for few days, and would meet representatives of political and militant groups to discuss a possible cease-fire declaration.