Tiran Straits: Sisi slams evil conspirators for islands, Regeni cases

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has hit back at criticism of a deal to hand Saudi Arabia two islands and of the investigation into an Italian student's murder, saying "evil" people were conspiring against his country.


Sisi's comments came on Wednesday after a deal was announced on Saturday that set maritime boundaries with Saudi Arabia, placing two islands in the Red Sea within the kingdom's borders.

The announcement, which came as a surprise to many Egyptians who thought the islands belonged to their country, came during a five-day visit by Saudi Arabian King Salman.

It provoked a backlash on social media and even in press normally loyal to the president, with thousands tweeting a hashtag accusing Sisi of selling the land.

Sisi said the islands, which Saudi had leased to Egypt in 1950, belonged to the kingdom, something he said was recognised by former president Hosni Mubarak in 1990.

"We don't sell our land to anyone, and we don't take anyone's rights," Sisi said.

"Why are Egyptians more suspicious of each other than people are in other countries?" he asked, suggesting experts and religious scholars should look into the question...
  [aljazeera.com]
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