Red Sea islands agreement passes to final vote in Parliament

CAIRO – 14 June 2017: The parliamentary Defense Committee approved the border demarcation agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in a closed session.

The decision came as a result of five hearing sessions at the Parliament where documents have been presented by experts and parliamentary members. The committee will submit its report to the Parliament’s speaker to be voted upon in a general session.

If passed, the agreement would result in transferring the sovereignty over two Red Sea Islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia while Egypt would maintain administrative control over both Islands.

The agreement between both countries was announced in April 2016 following a visit by the Saudi Arabian king to Cairo.