Egyptians President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday met with the prime minister, several ministers and the intelligence chief, where they discussed the political situations in the region and worldwide, as well as the talks on the Ethiopian Dam, the Presidency said.

The meeting discussed the situation in Libya and ways to comprehensively settle the Libyan crisis, in a way that contributes to eliminating terrorism, preserving the resources of the Libyan state, and curbing illegal foreign intervention in its domestic affairs, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement.

The president also discussed with the officials the developments in the region, in light of the challenges threatening regional security, and also ways to face these challenges to secure Egypt’s national security.

The meeting reviewed the talks around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) within the framework of Egypt’s adherence to reach an agreement that would secure the country’s interests and right in its Nile River share, and would consider filling and operating the dam in a way that serve the interests of the three countries of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, according to the spokesman.

Locally, the meeting reviewed the updates of the security situation as well as counterterrorism efforts. President Sisi, in this regard, instructed relevant authorities to exert maximum efforts to preserve security and protect citizens from terrorism, extremism and crime.

Sisi discussed with the officials developments of the economic situation in the country, and the measures taken to increase the monetary reserve of foreign currencies, within the framework of implementing the economic reform program.

Sisi instructed the government to continue its efforts to reduce the budget deficit and to work to create a proper business climate and attract more foreign investments, with the aim of raising growth rates, limiting unemployment and reducing public debt.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, as well as the ministers of defense, military production, foreign affairs, petroleum, justice, water resources, interior, finance, trade and industry, as well as chief of the General Intelligence Services Abbas Kamel, chief of the Administrative Control Authority Sherif Seif al-Din, and the president’s urban planning advisor.

GERD talks

Egypt and Ethiopia are at loggerheads over the $4-billion GERD; Cairo voiced concern over its water share after Ethiopia started building the dam on the Blue Nile in May 2011.

In November, the US sent an invitation to the three countries to resume the talks. Meetings were held with foreign and water ministers of Egypt and Upper stream countries, in the presence of United States Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin and a representative from the World Bank.

US President Donald Trump praised that meeting with the top representatives of the three countries, saying on his Twitter that it “went well and discussions will continue during the day!”

Sisi, following Trump’s remarks, also lauded the constructive and pivotal role played by the American president and the US, which reflects the depth of the strategic relations between Egypt and the United States. The president said that this would contribute to reaching an agreement on the filling and operation of GERD and promoting stability and development in East Africa