Lahun to be upgraded

The Egyptian Gazette (Hassan Saadallah)

The Government has agreed to launch an urgent plan for upgrading the historic site of el-Lahun near Fayoum, about 60km south of Cairo, home to Pharaonic treasures, Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass said.

He added that this archaeological site will be developed to preserve its treasures that include a rare collection of mummies, which he stressed are in a good shape.

Hawass has denied receiving a letter from UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expressing her concern over reports claiming that some of the mummies were damaged during an excavation by an Egyptian team.

"These reports are baseless and the Ministry never stood idle while anyone, whether Egyptian or foreign, was seen damaging mummies," he stressed.

However, Hawass said that he had ordered the formation of an ad hoc committee to appraise the antiquities in this area and draw up a comprehensive excavation and restoration project for it.