Egypt frees 32 Ethiopian prisoners during PM's visit

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

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, say Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi pardoned the prisoners, who returned to their home country on Monday.

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

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.

Ahmed arrived in Cairo on Saturday for a two-day visit, his first since he assumed office in April.