Hawass sworn in as Minister of Antiquities, again

Egypt State Information Service

Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas took on Monday 4/4/2011 the constitutional oath in presence of the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Hawas and Tantawi discussed new ideas to develop the performance of the newly-formed ministry.

Tantawi underlined the importance of coordinating with international bodies concerned to protect Egypt's monuments and restore those stolen abroad.


Hawas expressed appreciation for re-assigning him to hold the antiquities profile, saying he agreed with Tantawi that the immediate removal of all encroachments on antiquities' lands would be on the top of his priorities.

He said he will make a list of all transgressions and will set a timetable for removing them.

He also promised to work in coordination with the Armed Forces as well as the tourism and antiquities police to restore all stolen monuments.

Hawas added he will continue the construction of the national projects that were suspended because of the latest events in Egypt and will open the already-finished ones, including the Hanging Church and Suez National Museum.