El Sisi talks GERD tension, regional issues at World Youth Forum: Egypt is not looking to engage in a military confrontation and would rather direct its resources on development projects, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said at the World Youth Forum yesterday, according to Al Masry Al Youm. The statement comes in reference to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s previous warning that he could take military action against Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). El Sisi’s remarks come just days ahead of the next round of trilateral talks between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia over the dam, which is scheduled to take place in Khartoum this weekend. Separately, the president slammed foreign intervention in regional politics, pointing to the conflicts in Libya and Syria, and took the time to reiterate Egypt’s support for the National Libyan Army.

El Sisi meets UNIDO director-general, IAEA boss, Palestine’s Abbas: El Sisi discussed developing Egypt’s industrial sector and attracting international finance with Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization Li Yong on the sidelines of the forum yesterday, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The president also met with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi to talk about the Dabaa nuclear power plant, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for political discussions.