Arab League backs Egypt on GERD, calls for renewed talks: The Arab League issued a statement (pdf) yesterday backing Egypt in its stand-off with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethipian Renaissance Dam (GERD), saying that Egypt and Sudan’s water security is “inseparable from Arab national security.” The statement, which was issued after an emergency meeting, warns Ethiopia against unilaterally filling the dam’s reservoir and proposes renewed talks under the auspices of the United Nations. The league also proposed forming a joint committee between Arab League states and the UN Security Council — which Egypt has turned to for intervention in resolving the dispute — to oversee the completion of technical studies on the dam’s filling and monitor future operations.

The Arab League also discussed the escalating situation in Libya yesterday, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. Minister Sameh Shouky reiterated that Egypt is willing to take every measure necessary to avoid terrorism in its bordering country, but is still open to finding a political solution through negotiation.