Egyptians outraged by deal to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia

Egypt’s announcement during a five-day visit by King Salman that it would transfer two Red Sea islands to its Saudi ally has outraged Egyptians, who took to social media to criticise the move, which now faces a legal challenge.

The Egyptian government said in a statement on Saturday that the two countries had signed maritime demarcation accords that put the islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi waters, a process it said had taken six years.

Saudi and Egyptian officials said the islands belong to the kingdom and were only under Egyptian control because Saudi Arabia’s founder, Abdulaziz Al Saud, asked Egypt in 1950 to protect them.

But the accord, which still needs ratification by Egypt’s parliament, caused consternation among Egyptians, many who said they were taught in school the islands were theirs.

The hashtag “Awad sold his land” trended on Twitter after the announcement, referring to a song about an Egyptian who sold his land, seen as a shameful act.

Egypt has struggled to restore economic growth since the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year-rule.