Smurf Island debate kicks off in the House of Representatives: The House was the scene yesterday of a “raucous” debate of the agreement to hand over Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi, the Associated Press says. The government’s report to the House on the matter says that Egypt will maintain administrative control over the two islands even if their transfer to Saudi Arabia is approved, Reuters say. But MPs remain divided over the agreement. Some, such as the 25/30 coalition, are debating whether or not it should be discussed by the House at all since it was already struck down by the Administrative Court. Others have threatened to resign in protest, according to Al Shorouk. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Omar Marwan, however, defended MPs right to deliberate on the agreement, arguing that other courts (albeit lower in the judicial hierarchy) had overturned the Administrative Court’s verdict. Discussions will continue today and for the rest of the week, with government officials expected to make appearances and testimonies.

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