LOC23:35
20:35 GMT
US President Donald J. Trump with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- US President Donald J. Trump told his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi that he was dissatisfied with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), built over the Blue Nile.
During their summit meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, President Trump pledged to resume his mediation in the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over "the massive and dangerous" project.
"Somebody's not getting the water that they are supposed to get," he said, affirming that the massive dam has effectively blocked the flow of the River Nile to Egypt.
Referring to the Egyptian and Ethiopian leaders, he said, "I'm going to try bringing the two of you together, see if we can make a deal, -- and get that back on track."
On the US-Egyptian relations, President Trump said the two countries maintained wonderful and very successful relations, affirming that President Al-Sisi is a great leader who contributes to deepening peace in the Middle East.
On his part, President Al-Sisi thanked the US leader Trump for his interest in the waters of the River Nile which constitutes an existential issue for Egypt.
The US involvement in the mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia can open "new horizons" for a breakthrough, he said.
Egypt is keen on setting up mechanism for cooperation among the Nile Basin countries in order to serve the common interests according to the international law and ensure the best possible use of the water resources, President Al-Sisi pointed out.
He congratulated President Trump on the achievements he made during two years of his term in office, particularly in the Gaza file, terming the issue as one of the most complicated issues in the region.
He called on the US leader to continue caring for this issue and ensure full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict which entered its second phase.
Egypt is pleased to join the Board of Peace which will play an essential role in the implementation of the comprehensive plan for Gaza, President Al-Sisi said, affirming his country's readiness to contribute to any peace effort in the region.
He expressed hope that President Trump would help halt the Israeli transgressions on Lebanon's sovereignty and empower the Lebanese institutions restore state authority countrywide.
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