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VIDEO: Egyptians celebrate court rejection of government plans to transfer islands to Saudi Arabia

Egyptians chant "Bread, freedom, these islands are Egyptian" after controversial government deal rejected by court
The Red Sea's Tiran (foreground) and Sanafir (background) islands in the Strait of Tiran in January 2014 (AFP)

A top Egyptian court on Monday rejected a plan to transfer two uninhabited Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia in a deal that provoked outrage among Egyptians.

The Egyptian government had appealed against a lower court ruling in June that found the controversial border demarcation agreement was illegal.

But the courtroom erupted in cheers as the judge delivered the final verdict on the issue. 

Lawyers and activists can be seen chanting outside the Egyptian Council of state: "Bread, freedom, these islands are Egyptian."

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