Egypt's top court allows Red Sea islands transfer to Saudi

Egypt's Supreme Court has dismissed all outstanding legal challenges to a deal transferring two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, citing the court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court ruled that no other court had jurisdiction over the matter, blocking earlier verdicts by courts on the transfer.

"The signature of the representative of the Egyptian state on the maritime borders agreement between the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly an act of sovereignty," the Supreme Court said in a statement.

The approval of the deal is now with Egypt's legislative body, it said.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is currently visiting Egypt and is scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi today.

In April 2016, Egypt said it planned to hand over the ownership of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia. The announcement was met with political protect and legal action.

In January 2017, the country’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled against transferring the islands. The decision was ruled as void by the Court of Urgent Matters in April the same year.