By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump said Friday that the US was ready to restart mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia over a long-running dispute on Nile River water sharing.
In a letter to Egypt's president, Trump thanked Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his role in "successfully" mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.
"In the spirit of our personal friendship and America's commitment to peace and the well-being of Egypt's people, I am ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of 'The Nile Water Sharing' once and for all," Trump wrote in the letter.
He emphasized the "deep significance" of the Nile River to Egypt and said any agreement must safeguard the long-term water needs of the country, as well as Sudan and Ethiopia.
"The United States affirms that no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile, and disadvantage its neighbors in the process," he added.