Egypt’s leaders caught on air debating attack on dam

Senior Egyptian politicians discussed plans to destroy a new hydroelectric dam on the Nile in Ethiopia to protect water supplies – unaware that every word was being broadcast live.

Not realising the meeting organised by President Morsi was being recorded, many participants spoke a little too candidly about action they believed should be taken. One Islamist politician suggested “a declaration of war” against Ethiopia, while another pondered using special forces to destroy the dam.

The Egyptian leader convened the meeting of top aides and political heavyweights to discuss the impact of the $4.2 billion hydroelectric dam, which would be Africa’s largest.

Read the full story in The Times