CAIRO - Egyptian authorities on Wednesday denied reports that thugs had attacked tourists in a luxury resort in Luxor in Upper Egypt.
"The fact is that around 20 persons gathered inside a garden of Sheraton Hotel (in Luxor), to a part of which they claimed a right," said an official security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He added that the claimants had not resorted to violence, contrary to reports that they had used a bulldozer in the alleged attack. "They had no firearms nor had a single bullet was shot during the protest," added the source.
Egypt has been at pains to revive its tourism industry, which has taken the brunt of political turmoil and a lack of security following the ouster of long-serving president Hosni Mubarak.