Chairman of the National Association for the Development of Sinai Major General Mohamed Shawki said that the government has decided to settle the status of residents in five governorates through granting them title deeds for their houses in return for half pound per square meter in villages and one pound in cities.

The decision covers the governorates of North Sinai, South Sinai, Ismailia, Suez and Port Said.

He added that 500,000 Sinai residents benefit from the decision noting that an upcoming phase will include settling the status of arable land owners.