CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s speech on Wednesday was meant to staunch uproar over the transfer of two islands to Saudi Arabia, but his reprimand to an audience member ignited a furor over free speech.

Egyptian activists shout anti-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and government slogans during a demonstration protesting against the government's decision to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, in front of the Press Syndicate in Cairo, Egypt, April 13, 2016. The sign reads, "The two Islands Tiran and Sanafir are the Egyptians". REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Parliamentarians, ministers and senior editors were invited to the presidential palace, where Sisi tried to reassure them that he had not sold the Red Sea islands of Sanafir and Tiran.

But the impromptu, televised two-hour address lasted so longsince the government announced on Saturday the signing of a maritime demarcation accord that puts the uninhabited islands in Saudi waters.

Tiran and Sanafir lie between Saudi Arabia and Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, at the narrow entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba leading to Jordan and Israel. Saudi and Egyptian officials say they belong to the kingdom and were only under Egyptian control because Saudi Arabia asked Egypt in 1950 to protect them.

“THE MAN WHO SOLD THE LAND”

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The furor has put Sisi, who once enjoyed widespread support, under renewed pressure.

Once-fawning newspaper editors no longer hide their disappointment as a crackdown on dissent has spread from the Muslim Brotherhood to liberal and secular activists.

Critics say the government has mishandled a series of crises from police abuses to