A top Egyptian court has backed a ruling that blocks the handover of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.<br /><br /> The Egyptian government signed a transfer agreement in April to pass Tiran and Sanafir, in the Gulf of Aqaba, over to Saudi Arabia. <br /><br /> Egyptian lawyer Khaled Ali celebrates after the Supreme Administrative Court said, Tiran and sanafir are Egyptian<br />Photo | Mohamed El Raai pic.twitter.com/xwjl7qezyd— Mohamed El Raai (@mohammedelra3y) January 16, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> The deal sparked outrage across Egypt with President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi being accused of violating the constitution and “selling” the territories in return for a multi-billion dollar aid package. <br /><br /> Ahmed el Shazli the Judge of Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court delivered the verdict:” It is the court’s belief that Egypt’s sovereignty on Tiran and Sanafir is indisputable.”<br /><br /> The islands are home to Egyptian military personnel and international peacekeepers.<br /><br /> The Straits of Tiran is Israel’s only entry point from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Red Sea.<br /><br /> The Egyptian government claimed that the islands had never been under Egyptian jurisdiction.<br /><br /> #Breaking The High Administrative Court said it was unanimous in rejecting government appeal and that Tiran and Sanafir are Egyptian islands pic.twitter.com/PDHQs87PX3— Identity Magazine (@Identitymageg) January 16, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> Al Sisi said the land had always belonged to Saudi Arabia and Egyptian troops were only stationed there at the request of Riyadh. <br /><br /> State commissioners recommend annulling Tiran and Sanafir agreement https://t.co/qtUo7N1Cla pic.twitter.com/ap0ya8iQEk— Sam عمو (@sam__eg) December 5, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> The Saudis have bankrolled al-Sisi’s government since his predecessor, Mohammed Morsi, was removed from power in 2013.<br />
