Has Egypt begun drumming up international pressure on Ethiopia? Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed the ramifications of Ethiopia and Sudan rejecting the independent impact studies on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call on Sunday, according to a statement from the ministry. While the statement did not delve into details, government officials had implied that Egypt would attempt to push for international pressure on Ethiopia following the rejection of the study.

The call also touched on the US decision to shut down the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s office in DC if the Palestinian Authority continued to try and bring Israel before the International Criminal Court. The Palestinians had responded by stating they would break diplomatic ties if the US followed through. Shoukry had urged calm on the matter. The call also looked at Iran’s interventions in the region and the Lebanon crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid said.