Egypt appeals verdict annulling islands deal with Saudi
The Egyptian government has appealed a court verdict on Monday 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 Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi 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 on 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. However, 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 the media.
The Egyptian parliament must approve the agreement to be valid. The islands bear strategic importance as they are located on the straits that connect the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aqaba, where Jordan's only sea port of Aqaba and Israel's only Red Sea port of Eliat are located.
In May 1967, Nasser's Egypt's closure of the straits for vessels bound to Israel set one of the main excuses for the Six Day War, in which Israel launched pre-emptive air and ground strikes against Egypt and Jordan. During the war, Israeli troops occupied the whole Sinai Peninsula located on the west of the straits up to the Suez Channel, holding it until 1982.
The Gaza Strip was also captured from the Egyptians, whereas the West Bank was captured from Jordan and Golan Heights was captured from Syria. Israeli occupation in all three areas continues to this day.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt appear to have soured as the two close allies have begun differing on regional issues. Egypt has increased cooperation with Russia under Egyptian President Sissi, including a preliminary agreement to build a nuclear power plant.
The country is also negotiating with Russia to restore flights to its Red Sea resorts, a year after the bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers back to St. Petersburg. Egypt also announced in early October that it will host Russian troops for war games along the Mediterranean coast, the latest step in the two countries' rapprochement.
While moving closer to Russia, as one of the non-permanent Security Council members, Egypt voted in favor of Russian draft resolutions on Syria at the U.N. Security Council.
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 Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi 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 on 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. However, 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 the media.
The Egyptian parliament must approve the agreement to be valid. The islands bear strategic importance as they are located on the straits that connect the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aqaba, where Jordan's only sea port of Aqaba and Israel's only Red Sea port of Eliat are located.
In May 1967, Nasser's Egypt's closure of the straits for vessels bound to Israel set one of the main excuses for the Six Day War, in which Israel launched pre-emptive air and ground strikes against Egypt and Jordan. During the war, Israeli troops occupied the whole Sinai Peninsula located on the west of the straits up to the Suez Channel, holding it until 1982.
The Gaza Strip was also captured from the Egyptians, whereas the West Bank was captured from Jordan and Golan Heights was captured from Syria. Israeli occupation in all three areas continues to this day.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt appear to have soured as the two close allies have begun differing on regional issues. Egypt has increased cooperation with Russia under Egyptian President Sissi, including a preliminary agreement to build a nuclear power plant.
The country is also negotiating with Russia to restore flights to its Red Sea resorts, a year after the bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers back to St. Petersburg. Egypt also announced in early October that it will host Russian troops for war games along the Mediterranean coast, the latest step in the two countries' rapprochement.
While moving closer to Russia, as one of the non-permanent Security Council members, Egypt voted in favor of Russian draft resolutions on Syria at the U.N. Security Council.
Last Update: November 29, 2016 22:39