Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council approves Red Sea island agreement

In a unanimous vote on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council approved the draft “border demarcation” agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Based on the agreement, which was signed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia on 8 April during a five-day visit to Cairo by Saudi King Salman Bin Abdel-Aziz, Egypt has recognised Saudi sovereignty over the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir.

The vote came during the 34th session led by the speaker of the council Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Shiekh

In a press statement following the session, deputy speaker Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan said the vote took place after members listened to a report prepared by the foreign affairs committee on the agreement.

The deal, which was met by criticism and several protests by Egyptians, has not been yet presented to the Egyptian parliament for a vote.

According to the Saudi news agency, several members of the council spoke to the importance of the agreement in the frame of the “special relationship” between the two countries.

source: Ahram Online