This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36584812

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Egypt Red Sea islands' transfer to Saudi quashed Egypt Red Sea islands' transfer to Saudi Arabia quashed
(35 minutes later)
An Egyptian judge has quashed a government decision to hand two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. An Egyptian judge has quashed a government decision to hand back two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced the return of Tiran and Sanfir islands in April, during a visit from Saudi Arabia's King Salman. Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced the return of Tiran and Sanafir islands in April, during a visit by Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
He faced heavy criticism. Police fired tear gas at demonstrations and in May, dozens of protesters were jailed. More than 150 people were jailed in connection with protests at the deal, though many were later acquitted or had their sentences reduced on appeal.
Reuters reports that the state has the right to appeal Tuesday's ruling at a higher court. Tuesday's verdict is not final and could be overturned by a higher court.
Tiran and Sanafir are uninhabited islands, situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba.
President Sisi's decision in April to cede control of them sparked widespread unrest and criticism. He was forced to defend the move, saying the islands had always belonged to Saudi Arabia.
Egyptian troops have been stationed on the islands since 1950 at the request of Saudi Arabia. Critics, though, objected to the way Mr Sisi has handed them back, saying it is unconstitutional.
On Tuesday, Egypt's State Council, an administrative court which oversees lawsuits filed against the government, quashed Mr Sisi's decision by issuing a verdict annulling a maritime borders agreement.
The verdict stated that the two islands would "remain under Egyptian sovereignty".
If the verdict is approved by the country's High Administrative Court it will become legally binding.
This lawsuit was filed by the prominent rights activist and lawyer Khaled Ali.
Mr Sisi has cracked down on all dissent since leading the military's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed and 40,000 are believed to have been jailed, most of them supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.
Why the Red Sea islands matter