Bashar Assad
Bashar AssadIsrael news photo: file

Egypt's temporary military rulers sent a delegation to Syria on Thursday to meet with President Bashar al-Assad. Egyptian General Murad Mohammed Muafi and Assad agreed to boost cooperation between the two countries, according to Syria's SANA news agency.

The meeting follows long-term tension between Egypt and Syria. Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refrained from developing warm ties with Assad due to disagreement over Syria's role in Lebanon.

Assad sent his greetings to the new Egyptian government shortly after Mubarak's overthrow, wishing them success and expressing readiness to “cooperate with Cairo.”

His support for Mubarak's replacements came despite the fact that Assad too faces the prospect of an ouster from power. Syrian activists have begun holding “Day of Rage” protests similar to those that led to the overthrow of long-term leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.

While Assad and Muafi agreed to boost “cooperation and coordination” between their countries, they did not say what form that cooperation would take. Previously, Egypt has cooperated with Syria in allowing pro-Hamas convoys into Gaza.