Egypt President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed on Thursday the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement among all the parties on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

In a phone call, Sisi told his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa that Nile water is an existential matter for all Egyptians. He stressed on the necessity of reaching a comprehensive agreement between all the parties over the filling and operation of the dam refusing any unilateral steps which could harm Egypt's water rights, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

The two leaders tackled GERD developments in light of Egypt's request to the United Nations Security Council to intervene in the issue to reach a just and balanced deal.

Ramaphosa noted that he is looking forward to intensifying coordination with Egypt in the coming period on this major issue, hailing Egypt's sincere political will to resolve the crisis.