Egypt remains committed to a diplomatic and political solution to its dispute with Ethiopia over a controversial Nile dam, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said.In an interview with CNN Business Arabic, Mr Madbouly said the Nile is a matter of “national security and existential importance” for Egypt. The country depends on the river for about 95 per cent of its water resources.Egypt and Ethiopia last week announced they were expelling diplomats in a new escalation in their already tense relations. The leaders of Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan – three nations accused by Ethiopia of aiding an anti-government rebellion there – plus Somalia, were meeting on Sunday to shore up their loose alliance.Mr Madbouly rejected what he described as Ethiopian efforts to portray Egypt as an obstacle to the development of African countries. He said Cairo supports development in all nations as long as it does not harm other states, particularly in the case of rivers.“These rivers are governed by international law, which establishes that all riparian states are partners in the river and its water resources,” Mr Madbouly said.Egypt has maintained this position since the beginning of the dispute and will continue to pursue a diplomatic and political solution, he said, adding that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had reaffirmed that approach days earlier.At the same time, Mr Madbouly said Egypt had “clear...
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