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SETBACK FOR SISI

Egyptian court voids islands deal with Saudi Arabia

CAIRO, June 21, 2016

An Egyptian court declared void on Tuesday a maritime border accord with Saudi Arabia that would have seen Egypt lose control of two Red Sea islands, judicial sources said.

The state has the right to appeal the ruling at a higher court, and the accord must also be approved by parliament.

The agreement, which was announced in April, caused uproar and protests in Egypt where many say they were taught at school that Tiran and Sanfir islands were Egyptian.

The ruling is a setback for President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who had asked Egyptians in a speech to end to the controversy over the islands deal, which was announced during a visit to Cairo by the Saudi King.

Tiran and Sanafir lie between Saudi Arabia and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, at the narrow entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba leading to Jordan and Israel. Saudi and Egyptian officials say they belong to the kingdom and were only under Egyptian control because Saudi Arabia asked Egypt in 1950 to protect them.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states showered Egypt with billions of dollars in aid after Sisi toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, following mass protests against his rule. - Reuters




Tags: Saudi Arabia | Red Sea |

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