Egypt is working to win the release of Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid in Gazaon June 25, Abul Gheit said, quoted by Israel's newspaper Ha'aretz.

"I emphasize that we are working hard for his release and we are sure that he is still alive," he added.

Egypt has played a major mediating role between Israel and the Palestinians, trying to broker the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Earlier in the day, Abul Gheit met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The Egyptian top diplomat said that Egypt appreciated Israel's restraint on Palestinian rocket attacks and its efforts to boost moderate elements among Palestinians, Ha'aretz reported.

Olmert on Wednesday instructed the army to resume operations against rocket launching cells in the Gaza Strip, while promising that Israel will continue to preserve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip which was reached between Israel and the Palestinians in late November.

Meanwhile, Olmert's office announced that the prime minister is to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt's redsea resort Sharm el-Sheikh on Jan. 4.

The summit will touch upon the latest developments between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) following last Saturday's meeting between Olmert and PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

The summit will also discuss continued arms smuggling from Egypt into the Gaza Strip and broader regional developments in the Middle East, according to media reports.