Egypt will hire the UK-based Control Risks Group, an independent, global risk consultancy firm to review and enhance security conditions in its airports nationwide, Hisham Zaazou, the tourism minister, announced on Tuesday at press conference in Cairo. Zaazou said that Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh airports will be the first to be reviewed. He didn't reveal the contract value or its term at the presser. Government officials met on 10 December with leading international security and risk advisory companies to hear their proposals on covering security procedures at airports. The decision made on Tuesday came after the government reviewed the costs and capabilities of the various firms and companies. A Russian team, aided by its Egyptian counterparts, completed an audit of flight safety in Egypt following the Russian airliner incident over Sinai on 31 October, killing all 224 people on board. The audit report may help Russia determine whether to resume air services between Egypt and Russia. Moscow rejected on Monday a statement by Egypt that said "the technical investigative committee has so far not received any evidence indicating criminal or terrorist activity" in the downing of the plane. The Kremlin pointed to the findings of Russian investigators last month, which indicate that a bomb was responsible for downing the Airbus A321. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/177167.aspx
