The US will continue its diplomatic contacts in pursuit of a fair solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute, US State Department's Arabic language Spokeswoman Geraldine Griffith said late on Sunday. "We are now in the first stage and we will continue our diplomatic partnership with the three countries [of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia] to reach the most suitable solution to this crisis," Griffith told Extra News TV channel. Griffith said the US is working to find fitting solutions for the GERD dispute and is aware of the concerns of the three countries. "The US is studying the issue and we know that there must be a settlement that is agreed by all parties," Griffith added. Addis Ababa has reiterated its plans to go ahead with the second filling of the massive dam's reservoir as planned during the rainy season, which starts in July. The Ethiopian decision comes despite continued objections from Egypt and Sudan, the two downstream countries, to unilateral moved by Addis Ababa on the filling and operation of the GERD in the absence of a legally binding agreement between the three countries. Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly warned that Ethiopia's decision to proceed with the second filling of the dam without a deal seriously threatens the water interests of the two downstream countries. Griffith praised Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, which stopped Israeli air strikes on the enclave. She said she wants boost cooperation with Egypt to maintain the Gaza ceasefire and dispatch humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in the Strip. Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, which came into effect on 21 May, ending 11 days of Israeli aggression on the Strip. The Israeli bombing campaign left more than 250 Palestinians dead, hundreds injured and homeless, while tens of residential and commercial buildings were demolished by Israeli air strikes. Egypt has taken several political and diplomatic steps since then to consolidate the ceasefire, including sending security delegations to the warring sides. Egypt also announced the allocation of $500 million for the reconstruction of Gaza and opened many hospitals nationwide to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza.
