CAIRO: Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty arrived in Luxor Saturday to inaugurate a project involves a new lighting system to facilitate visiting the archaeological sites in the west bank of Luxor at night, Youm7 reported.
Damaty is scheduled to inspect the work in several archaeological and restoration projects in Egypt’s most famous touristic destination of Luxor.
“Antiquities minister will inspect the restoration work at the shrine of Tuthmosis III, Karnak temple, the Ramessum temple along with Deir el-Bahari temple in the west bank of Luxor,” according to Youm7.
Damaty is to hold a meeting with Head of Tourism and Antiquities Police Mostafa Salama to follow up on the security situation at the temples in Luxor and the readiness of the security forces to secure tourists.
The Minister is to leave to Aswan Sunday for inspectorate tours for the temples and other touristic places.
Three explosive devices were neutralized Wednesday near Karnak Temple after a suicide bomber rocked the parking area of the temple, killing himself and another attacker and injuring at least five Egyptians including a police officer.
One of the two bombers was killed in a fire exchange with the tourism policemen in charge of securing the temple, security source told Youm7.
For his part, Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-Damaty said “no casualties were reported among tourists who were visiting the temple during the explosion,” said Youm7.
Entrances to all Egypt’s temples, archaeological sites and hotels are secured by metal detector gates.