Sharif: Egypt did not ban 90 books

Egyptian Minister of Information Safwat El-Sharif yesterday denied media reports that Egypt has banned more than 90 books. "This is mere fabrication and completely unfounded," Sharif said.

Egypt had said last month that "The Prophet," by Khalil Gibran, had not been banned.

The Egyptian State Information Service reported that a "responsible source at the publications and press authority" said that only three books, containing "flagrant sex scenes which are not in conformity with the religious and ethical values of the Egyptian people" were banned, adding that these books were shelved for research at the American University in Cairo.