World, Middle East

Egypt appeals verdict annulling islands deal with Saudi

The Egyptian parliament must approve the agreement to be valid

Mohamed Sabry Emam Muhammed  | 29.11.2016 - Update : 29.11.2016
Egypt appeals verdict annulling islands deal with Saudi

Egypt

By Mustafa Eid

CAIRO

The Egyptian government Monday appealed a court verdict annulling the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, a judicial source said.

In April, the Egyptian government announced that it was transferring the sovereignty of the Tiran and Sanafir islands – which have been under Egypt’s control for more than six decades – to Saudi Arabia.

The move has triggered public outcry amid accusations for President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi of selling Egyptian territory to the oil-rich kingdom, which has channeled billions of dollars to shore up Egypt’s economy since 2013.

The government has defended the move, arguing that Egypt had taken control of the two islands in 1950 amid concerns that Israel might seize them.

In an effort to revoke the demarcation agreement, Egyptian lawyers and activists took the issue to court, which in June annulled the controversial deal and prohibited change in the islands’ status “in any form or procedure for the benefit of any other country.”

Egypt’s State Lawsuits Authority – which represents the government -- appealed the ruling, but the court earlier this month rejected the appeal.

But the lawsuits authority Monday filed another appeal against the annulment of the deal, the judicial source said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

The Egyptian parliament must approve the agreement to be valid.

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