Ankara, February 11 , SPA -- The Egyptian and Turkish presidents on Wednesdayreaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak speaking in Istanbul after meeting his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that the world must focus on helping Palestinians in Gaza Strip. Gul said Turkey was working hand-in-hand with Egypt in an attemptto both bring about a reconciliation between Hamas, which controlsthe Gaza Strip and Fatah, which controls the West Bank.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/634732