Renowned Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, tells Ahram Online of his reappointment as Egypt's minister of antiquities and prioritises the repelling of encroachments on archaeological sites a well as the resumption of projects Five days after his meeting with Egypt Prime Minister Essam Sharaf renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has been officially reappointed to the post of Egypt's minister of state for antiquities affairs. A 30-minute meeting was held between Hawass and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces to discuss security measures necessary to safeguard Egypt's antiquities and efforts to be exerted to restore Egypt's looted artefacts in collaboration with the world community and UNESCO. Hawass told Ahram Online that the first order of the day is to repel the 500 encroachments on archaeological sites that have been found within the past two weeks, as well as the resumption of projects that were on halt due to the revolution. He expresses his happeness in returning to the post andfor the opportunity to do his utmost to protect Egypt's monuments. Hawass was appointed as minister of antiquities, but resigned less than a month ago from the post under criticism for his close ties to former President Hosni Mubarak.
