Briefly

AFRICA

Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt urged to ease tensions

The African Union has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise "maximum restraint", urging the three countries to de-escalate the situation amid mounting regional diplomatic tensions. In a news statement issued late on Thursday, the organization said it is closely following with concern the heightened tensions among Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt. The statement follows a rapid deterioration of relations among the three nations. Earlier on Thursday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara, the Eritrean capital, "in response to Eritrea's direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia". Also on Thursday, the Ethiopian government declared a diplomatic staff member at the Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa persona non grata. Cairo made a reciprocal move.

EUROPEAN UNION

Bloc fully rejects any ban on diesel: Spokeswoman

The European Union "fully rejects" the threat made by the US to ban diesel exports if Europe does not release more of its fuel stocks, European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Friday. "A ban would not be beneficial to anyone. It would undermine our trust in the United States as a reliable partner," she said, adding that the next EU's Oil Coordination Group meeting is scheduled on Oct 15, but could be brought forward if needed. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington could ask its European allies to release strategic diesel reserves to curb prices sent soaring by the Iran conflict. Reuters reported on Thursday that the US had told Germany and France to draw down emergency diesel inventories or face a potential diesel export ban, according to three people close to the discussions.

XINHUA-AGENCIES