Egypt gives Saudi Arabia 2 Red Sea islands

Egypt plans to hand over the ownership of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian cabinet announced in a statement on April 9. 

The decision came after 11 rounds of negotiations over a six-year period, according to the cabinet. It will now be presented to parliament for final approval.

The islands, located at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, were transferred to Egypt’s control in 1950 by the kingdom, the statement said.

The announcement came at the end of King Salman’s five-day visit to the North African country, during which, multiple agreements were signed and nearly $22 billion in investments were pledged.

The deal has sparked controversy as Egyptian activists and opposition groups have said the agreement is unconstitutional.

A bridge joining the kingdom and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is also in the pipeline. Previous routes for the bridge crossed over Tiran, the larger island.

Write to Matthew Watson at matthew.w@argaamplus.com