A Cairo court has ordered Egypt to halt any supply of natural gas to Israel, prompting Cairo to prepare a petition to the nation�s high court. Egyptian government officials are now seeking to freeze the court�s decision pending the appeal, hoping to continue supplying gas during the interim period.

According to a report appearing in the London-based al-Hayat, a court ruled on the matter on Tuesday, responding to a petition filed by a number of Egyptian attorneys who oppose the gas deal with Israel. The petitioners maintain that the deal results in a significant loss to Egypt and as a result, the deal should be canceled.

The natural gas deal between the two countries was signed in 2005.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)