Renowned Egyptologist and former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass embarked on a tour around the United States to promote tourism to Egypt. The first leg of his trip was in Los Angeles, where Egypt's Consul General Lamia Mekhemar organised a gala reception at Egypt's consulate. The event was attended by a number of Egyptian and American politicians, actors and other prominent figures. Among the attendees were actors Peter Weller, David Gordon and Jacqueline Bisset, as well as Fox channel director David Hill and Egyptian actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa Mahmoud Kabil. During the reception, Hawass delivered a lecture on ancient Egyptian civilisation and the new development project of Giza Plateau, and called on Americans to visit Egypt. "Egypt is very safe and the return of tourism is a call to whole world to help in the restoration of the country's unique heritage," Hawass said, inviting all the actors in attendance to participate in the upcoming Cairo International Film Festival, to which the actors agreed. The second leg of his trip will be in San Francisco. Kabil and Hawass Bisset, Hawass and Mekhemar
