AL rejects any infringement of Egypt’s historical rights to Nile waters

CAIRO - 5 March 2020: The Arab League Council voiced rejection of any infringement of Egypt’s historical rights to the waters of the River Nile.

This came at the end of the 153rd session of the Arab League Council, which kicked off on Wednesday at the foreign ministerial level.

The council reaffirmed that Egypt’s water security is an integral part of Arab national security.

It issued a decision on the controversial Ethiopian dam, vowing support to Egypt’s historical rights to the river which provides it with over 90 percent of its water supply.

The council asserted that Ethiopia should comply with the principles of international law.

The body rejected any unilateral action taken by Ethiopia to fill and operate the dam without reaching a balanced agreement with the downstream countries.

It also asserted that a draft agreement on the dam issue proposed by the US and the World Bank is fair, just and balanced and serves the interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.

The council urged the Arab countries to take necessary procedures to convince Ethiopia to sign the initial agreement.