Egypt continues diplomatic blitz on Libya, GERD: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi continued the push he started over the weekend to win overseas backing for the country’s position on the Libyan conflict and the dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

El Sisi spoke by phone with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the latest developments on the talks around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), reiterating that the country seeks a fair and balanced agreement, and rejects any unilateral filling of the dam’s reservoir. Ramaphosa said he hopes “intensive coordination” between the sides would allow them to reach an agreement. The African Union under the presidency of South Africa sponsored the last round of GERD talks from 3-13 July, which ended without the parties reaching an agreement. El Sisi and Ramaphosa also discussed political solutions for the crisis in Libya, the statement said, without providing additional details.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed GERD, Libya, trade and covid-19 with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, according to a statement by the UK embassy in Egypt, which provided no additional details.

KfW Development Bank donates EUR 15 mn to UN World Food Program: The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Egypt will receive a EUR 15 mn contribution from the German KfW Development Bank, Al Mal reports, citing a statement by the UN Information Center in Cairo. The WFP and its local partners will use the funding to launch a new two-year program to support 136k low income families in rural areas, providing them with their food, school meals, educational support, and income-generating programs for women and youth.