Egypt "amazed" by PM Meles remarks.

* Ethiopia said Egypt would not win a war over Nile

* Nile-dependent Egypt says wants cooperation
* 85 percent of the water originates in Ethiopia

* Egypt dismisses charge that backing Ethiopia rebels

ABU DHABI/CAIRO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Egypt said it was "amazed" by Ethiopia's suggestion on Tuesday that Cairo might turn to military action in a row over the Nile waters, saying it did not want confrontation and was not backing rebels there.

 "I'm amazed ... by the language that was used. We are not seeking war and there will not be war," Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told Reuters during a visit to Abu Dhabi.

His ministry said in a statement issued in Cairo: "The charges that Egypt .. is exploiting rebel groups against the ruling regime in Ethiopia are completely devoid of truth."

"I am not worried that the Egyptians will suddenly invade Ethiopia," Meles told Reuters

"Egypt is firmly behind its legal and political positions on the issue of the Nile water," Zaki said, adding that Egypt had pursued dialogue and cooperation on the use of the Nile's water.

The Egyptian spokesman added "We understand the frustrations of the Ethiopian party over the difficulties facing the Nile Basin agreement and initiative." Read more on Reuters.

By Amena Bakr and Dina Zayed

(Editing by Tim Pearce)