SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — The United States is seeking "new ways" to deal with Israeli-blockaded Gaza in the wake of Israel's deadly raid on an aid ship last week, Vice President Joe Biden said on Monday.

"We are consulting closely with Egypt, as well as our other partners, on new ways to address the humanitarian, economic, security and political aspects of the situation in Gaza," he said after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The two leaders held 90 minutes of talks in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Biden, in a statement, also said the two leaders discussed Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, political situation in Sudan and Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

"The United States remains committed to a diplomatic resolution to these serious issues, but we will continue to hold Iran accountable for its continued violations of its international responsibilities," he said.

"We expect to see developments in the United Nations Security Council to hold Iran accountable very soon," said Biden, referring to a threatened new round of sanctions against Tehran.

"In addition to concerns about Iran?s nuclear programme, we remain concerned about its destabilising activities throughout the region, including with regard to its support for (Lebanon's) Hezbollah and Hamas," which rules Gaza.

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