Egypt condemned on Saturday an online poll on a Russian government-funded news website over whether a disputed border territory belongs to Egypt or Sudan. Saturday’s statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry says Russia Today’s online poll held a day earlier was “unacceptable conduct.” The ministry said it had contacted Russian officials over the issue, demanding an “urgent” explanation. It also said Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry cancelled an interview scheduled for Saturday with the news outlet. The longstanding border dispute has triggered tension between Egypt and Sudan over the years, with Khartoum renewing claims to the Egypt-held border territory, known as the Halayeb Triangle. Egypt's State Information Service, which oversees foreign media, summoned Russia Today's representatives over the online poll, saying in a statement that it undermines Egypt's sovereignty.
Egypt announces that the Rafah Crossing into Gaza will be opened for four days starting next Saturday. Egypt usually opens the border for humanitarian reasons every two or three months for two or three days at a time.