Skip to content
Subscriber Only
Business

Egypt Cabinet Approves Saudi Border Pact as Court Ruling Nears

  • Government refers the agreement to parliament for approval
  • Pact includes the transfer of two Red Sea islands to kingdom
The Red Sea's Tiran island, foreground, and the Sanafir island, background, in the Strait of Tiran between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia.

The Red Sea's Tiran island, foreground, and the Sanafir island, background, in the Strait of Tiran between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia.

Photographer: Stringer/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt’s government approved a maritime border deal that transfers two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia and triggered the largest protests during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s rule.

The cabinet on Thursday referred the agreement, which is currently being disputed in Egyptian courts, to parliament for approval, according to an e-mailed statement. It was unclear whether the legislature would consider the matter before an expected court ruling on Jan. 16.