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 3 Version 4
Egypt court quashes Red Sea islands' transfer to Saudis Egypt court quashes Red Sea islands' transfer to Saudis
(about 3 hours later)
An Egyptian judge has quashed a government decision to hand back two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. An Egyptian judge has quashed a government decision to hand control of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
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. Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced that Tiran and Sanafir would be transferred in April, during a visit by Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
More than 150 people were jailed in connection with protests over the deal, though many were later acquitted or had their sentences reduced on appeal.More than 150 people were jailed in connection with protests over the deal, though many were later acquitted or had their sentences reduced on appeal.
Tuesday's verdict is not final and could be overturned by 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, a strategically important part of the Red Sea that is bordered by Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Tiran and Sanafir are uninhabited and located at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, a strategic part of the Red Sea bordered by Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
President Sisi's decision in April to cede control of them sparked widespread unrest and criticism. King Salman had announced a multi-billion dollar aid package to Egypt from Saudi Arabia on his visit, leading some to accuse Mr Sisi of "selling" the islands. Egyptian troops have been stationed there since 1950 at Riyadh's request.
He was forced to defend the move, saying Tiran and Sanafir had always belonged to Saudi Arabia. Mr Sisi's decision in April to cede control of them to Saudi Arabia sparked widespread criticism.
Egyptian troops have been stationed on the islands since 1950 at the request of Saudi Arabia. Critics, though, object to the way Mr Sisi has handed them back, saying it is unconstitutional. The president was accused of violating the constitution and "selling" the islands in return for a multi-billion dollar aid package unveiled by King Salman during his visit.
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. But Mr Sisi insisted that Tiran and Sanafir had always belonged to Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, Egypt's State Council, an administrative court, issued a verdict annulling April's maritime borders agreement between Cairo and Riyadh.
Cheers in court: By Sally Nabil, BBC NewsCheers in court: By Sally Nabil, BBC News
The maritime border agreement signed earlier this year between Egypt and Saudi Arabia took many Egyptians by surprise.The maritime border agreement signed earlier this year between Egypt and Saudi Arabia took many Egyptians by surprise.
Since then, protesters have taken to the streets calling the arrangement unconstitutional, and accusing the government of giving away Egyptian territories in return for aid packages and investments worth billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, a strong backer of President Sisi.Since then, protesters have taken to the streets calling the arrangement unconstitutional, and accusing the government of giving away Egyptian territories in return for aid packages and investments worth billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, a strong backer of President Sisi.
Some of these protesters were arrested and charged with disrupting public order. A few are still behind bars.Some of these protesters were arrested and charged with disrupting public order. A few are still behind bars.
The lawsuit was filed by a number of prominent human rights lawyers, headed by a former presidential candidate, Khaled Ali.The lawsuit was filed by a number of prominent human rights lawyers, headed by a former presidential candidate, Khaled Ali.
When the verdict was issued, many cheered inside the courtroom, chanting "the islands are Egyptian". But the legal battle has not come to an end yet, because the decision can be appealed.When the verdict was issued, many cheered inside the courtroom, chanting "the islands are Egyptian". But the legal battle has not come to an end yet, because the decision can be appealed.
The verdict stated that the two islands would "remain under Egyptian sovereignty".The verdict stated that the two islands would "remain under Egyptian sovereignty".
If it is approved by the country's High Administrative Court it will become legally binding.If it is approved by the country's High Administrative Court it will become legally binding.
Mr Sisi has cracked down on all dissent since leading the military's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.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 Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed and 40,000 are believed to have been jailed, most of them supporters of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.
Why the Red Sea islands matterWhy the Red Sea islands matter