Egypt denies British allegations of mistreating Swiss balloon

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism released a strongly-worded statement in which it denied what was published by the British newspapers such as the Daily Telegraph about Egypt mistreating the Swiss balloon that completed an around-the-world flight this week.

The statement said the Egyptian government made the appropriate preparations to receive the balloon in the Giza pyramids region.

The preparations included the establishment of a high-level information center, inviting all journalists and foreign correspondents in Cairo, as well as presenting facilities to all those who came from abroad. It said the balloon landed in the oasis region last Sunday evening due to bad weather forecasts.

Moreover a plane affiliated with the Egyptian Air Force brought the balloon from its landing site and it was received by the governor of the new valley representing President Mubarak personally in appreciation for this event.