Prisoners pardoned

CAIRO: Egyptian officials say authorities have released 32 Ethiopian prisoners during a visit by the country’s prime minister.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi pardoned the prisoners, who returned to their home country yesterday, said officials.

El-Sisi had met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to discuss a massive upstream Nile dam that Cairo fears will cut its share of the river when complete.

Ahmed said the project will not reduce Egypt’s share of the river, which provides virtually all the Arab country’s freshwater.

Ethiopia says the hydroelectric dam is essential for its economic development.