One step closer to Israel-Saudi rapprochement
One step closer to Tiran and Sanafir transfer: Israel is set to greenlight new arrangements which would allow for Egypt to transfer sovereignty of the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, a move that is reportedly being brokered by the US to encourage closer ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem Post writes. Under the agreement, Israel will allow the multinational force currently stationed on the islands to relocate to Egyptian soil several kilometers away. In return, Saudi Arabia would allow Israeli airlines to use its airspace, the newspaper reports.
An official announcement could be coming at the beginning of next month when US President Joe Biden is expected to visit the region. Biden was originally supposed to be visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel at the end of June but has postponed the trip to next month for unknown reasons, NBC reported yesterday. Two Saudi government delegations are set to visit the US this month to pave the way for Biden’s visit, officials reportedly told Reuters.
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Finance Minister Mohamed Maait talked investment with Qatar and Mauritania on the sidelines of the Islamic Development Bank’s meeting in Sharm El Sheik.
Did we meet Turkey’s Treasury and FInance Minister? Nureddin Nebati was in Sharm for the IsDB meetings and met with officials from Saudi, Qatar and the UAE. No word on whether he sat down with anyone from the Madbouly government.