Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday warned against the continuation of the civil war raging in Syria, adding that it foreshadows the disintegration of the state. 

Regional and international parties agree on the need to reach a political settlement for the Syrian crisis, Mursi said during a meeting with Chuck Hagel, the United Secretary of Defense.

The president underlined the importance of seeking to put an end to the Syrian bloodshed, prevent sectarian division and protect the unity of Syrian territory.

Mursi and Hagel talked over bilateral relations between Egypt and the United States. They also discussed ways to develop these relations, especially in the field of military cooperation, in a way that realizes the common interests on a basis of mutual respect.