The People's Assembly (the Lower House of Egypt's Parliament) approved Monday an Antiquities Bill after a heated controversy that ended up with chief archaeologist bowing to the law. "The law was the main theme of a lot of debates because Egypt's interests were sought by all lawmakers and Government," said Parliamentary Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour.
Zahi Hawass, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, approved the law after adding confirmations that the antiquities would be strictly protected against illegal trading.
"There was a misunderstanding and now things are on the right track," Hawass said.
Press reports had quoted Hawass as allegedly criticising the Parliament and Ahmed Ezz, the ruling National Democratic Party's head of the Organisation Committee, for drafting a law that could jeopardise Egypt's monuments.
"I was misquoted by reporters about the law," Hawass said.
Ezz said he knew a little about the new law. "All I did was forwarding a report about antiquities laws in foreign countries," Ezz said.
Sorour, however, blamed Ezz for not denying the press reports, which he described as a "destructive tool".
The controversy focused on the definition of the antiquity, which was defined in the new law as any old thing that dates back to 100 years and be considered according to its artistic and historical value.
Another point of contention was Article 8, which bans the trade, or any other form of disposal, of antiquities unless there is a written consent from the Supreme Council of Antiquities. It also states that the council has the right to take the antiquity from the owner for a reasonable compensation in return.
