Sisi, Burhan Call for Legally Binding Agreement on GERD

 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Egyptian Presidency)
TT

Sisi, Burhan Call for Legally Binding Agreement on GERD

 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed Wednesday with Head of Sudan’s Sovereign Transitional Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan the latest regional developments and bilateral ties.

They agreed to carry on intensive consultations and joint coordination on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issues, considering it a matter of national security.

The officials also reaffirmed their unwavering stance in seeking a legally binding agreement on the rules of filling and operating the mega dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile River in a way that achieves the three countries’ common interests.

Cairo underlined the importance of joint action, provided that current developments do not affect efforts to help Sudan achieve political and economic stability and maintain security.

Both countries issued a joint statement underlining the importance of boosting economic ties and increasing trade exchange in a way that amounts to the existing momentum in political relations and historical ties that unite the two brotherly peoples.

Egypt vowed to send aid packages and logistical and humanitarian support to Sudan, provide technical support to Sudanese cadres and activate all bilateral cooperation programs based on Cairo’s unlimited support for Khartoum.

Sudan said it is proud of the firm ties between the two countries on all levels.

It commended the “mutual efforts to promote joint bilateral cooperation and Egypt’s sincere and relentless support to preserve Sudan’s safety and stability.



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)
TT

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.