Egypt Ups Int’l Pressure Over GERD

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
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Egypt Ups Int’l Pressure Over GERD

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)

Egypt has continued its international escalation on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The North African nation affirmed in its fourth letter regarding the GERD to the UN Security Council that “Ethiopia's unilateral actions regarding the filling and operation of the dam constitute an existential threat to Egypt and a threat to its stability.”

The address was sent by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UNSC on the occasion of Ethiopia announcing the completion of the fourth filling of the GERD.

In the message, Egypt emphasized that “for the fourth time in a row, the UNSC is being informed of Ethiopia’s repeated violations of international law and agreements, including the 2015 Declaration of Principles concerning the dam.”

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had announced on September 10 the success of his country in completing the fourth and final filling of the GERD, a move criticized by Egypt at the time.

According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the fourth filling exhibits “disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream states (Egypt and Sudan) and their water security guaranteed by international law.”

Egypt’s letter on Friday clarified that Ethiopia’s latest move “constitutes a continuous violation of the Declaration of Principles that obligates Ethiopia to reach a legally binding agreement on the rules governing the filling and operation of the dam.”

It emphasized that Ethiopia’s continued unilateral practices could impact Egypt and its stability, thereby endangering regional and international peace and security.

The Foreign Ministry expressed “Egypt's unequivocal rejection of these actions taken by Ethiopia and its complete disregard for the UNSC statement, which called on Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to expeditiously reach a final, acceptable agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a reasonable time frame.”

Ali Al-Hafny, Egypt’s former ambassador to China and a former deputy minister of foreign affairs for African affairs, pointed out that Egypt’s insistence on addressing the UNSC and keeping it informed of developments in the GERD issue “represents a genuine Egyptian right and the use of tools provided by international law for member states of the UN.”

Hafny, in statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, clarified that the Foreign Ministry’s message conveyed a “clear and disciplined diplomatic and legal language.”

This language, he asserted, should hold the international organization accountable for its responsibilities towards regional peace and security, given that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions represent “a violation of international law and a direct threat to the rights of downstream countries protected by international transboundary river agreements.”

Hafny further explained that Egypt’s repeated recourse to the UNSC came only after exhausting all bilateral and regional avenues, and due to what he described as the African Union’s “inability” to find a solution to the crisis.

The dispute over the GERD dates back to 2011 when Ethiopia began construction of the massive hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile. For years, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia engaged in intermittent negotiations brokered by the African Union, but the talks collapsed in April 2021.



Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
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Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.