Antiquities to go on show in US, Canada

Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni has agreed to organize an exhibition of Egyptian antiquities to tour 13 American and Canadian cities starting next month. The "Looking for Eternity" exhibition will display 143 items representing all historical eras, Hosni, also the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Antiquities (HCA), said yesterday.

He explained that the five-year duration of the exhibition would ensure protection of Egypt's valuable antiquities. The exhibits will include two especially important pieces that will only be shown in Washington DC, before returning to Cairo.

The $410m insurance policy the Egyptian Museum has taken out against terrorist attacks, natural disasters and earthquakes is the highest paid for any antiquities in the world.