GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas chief-in-exile Khalid Mashaal met with Egyptian officials on Saturday in Cairo, a Ma'an correspondent said.

The Hamas chief, who lives in exile in Qatar, met with intelligence minister Raafat Shahata to talk about smuggling tunnels, Israel's blockade and the Rafah crossing.

Egypt has a vital role in activating stalled reconciliation talks and easing the suffering of the Gazan people, Mashaal said.