Egypt reopens Pyramid of Chefren in a bid to boost tourism

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt has reopened one of its great pyramids as it attempts to revive a tourism industry hit by last year's uprising, BBC News said.

Antiquities Minister Muhammad Ibrahim reopened the Pyramid of Chefren (Khafre) and six ancient tombs at Giza after a long restoration project.

He said he was keen to stress that Egypt is a safe country for tourists.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Egypt says visitor numbers have only just begun to pick up after last year's revolution.

The problem, he says, is that many Westerners still see Egypt as something of a war zone.

Mr Ibrahim, who inspected the newly opened monument, said other archaeological sites were due to be opened across Egypt in the coming months.

Egypt's tourism industry was badly hit last year following the unrest that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Scenes of violent protests, mainly in the capital Cairo, were broadcast around the world.

The country is still suffering from a weak economy and a volatile security situation.

The Pyramid of Chefren is the second largest at Giza and the tomb of the Pharaoh Khafre from ancient Egypt's fourth dynasty.

It rises to a height of 136m (446ft).