Egyptian antiquities minister reviews security strategy with tourist police

Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el Damaty reviewed Thursday the ministry's security plan to maintain safety of ancient sites during a meeting a number of senior tourist police officers.

The meeting was attended by head of tourist police department Maj. General Ahmed Shahin.

During the meeting, the minister said a training course would be organized to make new officers familiar with ancient Egyptian civilization.

They discussed challenged faced by the ministry to curb smuggling of ancient pieces.

The ministry has set mechanism to coordinate efforts with ports and border crossings to control smuggling and illegal excavation.

The meeting has also taken up the security strategy which includes four axes of work to secure ancient sites and museums.

It includes redeployment of forces inside museums and sites, providing training course on the field, setting an integrated plan for the security system, fixing new surveillance cameras and electronic gates.