During a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi Tuesday on the sidelines of the Algiers-hosted 31st Arab Summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres applauded Egypt’s organizational efforts in preparation for the forthcoming global climate conference (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

Guterres was keen on introducing the UN envoy to Libya to President Sisi during the meeting, Rady added during a phone interview with Sada El Balad satellite TV channel.

Briefing the new envoy on Egypt’s vision of the crisis in Libya, Sisi reasserted Egypt’s firm position in favor of the national army and central government, instead of militias or any other forces, the spokesman noted.

As for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, Sisi said Egypt had been engaged in negotiations with Ethiopia for 11 years to strike a legally binding deal on the operation of the giant dam, but to no avail.

“All that Egypt requests is international support to implement international law,” Sisi said, stressing that Egypt is not against any development process so long as it is not pursued at the expense of its national interest.

As for Sisi’s speech before the summit tomorrow, Rady said the president will give an overview of the situation of joint Arab action, Egypt’s vision and roadmap for the period ahead, the progress made in trilateral GERD talks, and Arab water security challenges.

Rady said the UN chief expressed optimism about Sharm El Sheikh climate summit, which is expected to witness a huge participation by world leaders and top officials.

Source: State Information Service Egypt