Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
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Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Egypt’s position of wanting to ensure its water security and upholding its “historic rights of Nile water."

During a telephone call on Tuesday, the Egyptian president called on the international community to continue supporting the negotiation process to reach a comprehensive, just, and legally binding agreement on the filling and operating rules of the GERD.

The two leaders discussed trade, investment cooperation, health and security, and efforts to combat terrorism, while also exchanging views on the latest developments in the GERD crisis, official spokesperson for the Presidency Bassam Rady said.

They agreed on boosting cooperation in the security, military, and intelligence fields, especially in terms of counterterrorism efforts and efforts to face illegal immigration and secure borders.

Sisi and Johnson agreed to maximize cooperation in the health sector in a way that achieves the maximum benefit from the British excellence in this field. This coincides with the need for solidarity against the coronavirus pandemic. It includes training specialized medical cadres, cooperation in manufacturing the coronavirus vaccines, and accurate exchange of information to organize traveling between the two countries.

They also discussed collaboration on climate change, with the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow at the end of the year, and the need to support developing countries in obtaining funding, as well as technological and technical support, to tackle the issue.

The two leaders also highlighted developments in Palestine and the importance of maintaining the cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian factions.

Meanwhile, Johnson praised the role Egypt plays in mediating between the parties, and its allocation of $500 million for reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.