NNA - Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh handed over to Egypt’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, a collection of antiquities dating back to the Pharaonic civilization that had been illegally smuggled from Egypt into Lebanon. The handover took place during a ceremony held at the National Museum, in the presence of members of the Egyptian Embassy in Lebanon, Colonel Ghattas Moussa, Head of the Office for Combating International Crimes and Theft, representing the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces, and Laure Salloum, Officer in Charge of Repatriation Files at the Directorate General of Antiquities.

The Minister of Culture opened his remarks by welcoming the ambassador and guests, stressing that "today’s meeting is one of the happy occasions for several reasons." He said:

"I will mention at least three of them. First, we are setting an example in the strict implementation of the 1970 international convention concerning the prevention of the illicit trafficking of cultural property. We are returning to their rightful owners property that was seized at the Port of Beirut six years ago. Over these years, we have cooperated with the Arab Republic of Egypt, with INTERPOL, and, of course, with Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Cassation, in order to verify its ownership, authenticity and that it had not been forged, as well as to establish our legal right to hand it over to its rightful owners. We naturally expect other countries to treat us in the same way and return to us any cultural property that they may find in their possession unlawfully.

"This is precisely what happened this week. This week, the U.S. government is returning to us property that was found unlawfully in New York, and the Lebanese Consul in New York received it last week. Today, we are handing over, with great happiness and pride, property belonging to the Arab Republic of Egypt that was seized at the Port of Beirut in 2020."

He continued: "The second reason for happiness is that it is Egypt, and that relations between Egypt and Lebanon are relations between brothers—relations that both sides want to be exemplary. Our respect for an international convention in this case is an example for other countries. Our relationship with the Arab Republic of Egypt is exemplary, and today there is another reason to demonstrate that.

"The third reason is personal. After having worked in Lebanon for years with dedication, energy and affection for our country, His Excellency the Ambassador will soon be leaving this country. I am pleased that his farewell gift is something addressed to his government and to the great new Cairo Museum: 37 precious and beautiful pieces that we seized in Lebanon and that we are handing over today, with pride and honor, to their rightful owners."

The Egyptian Ambassador

For his part, Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa thanked Minister Salameh, the Directorate General of Antiquities and the Lebanese authorities for their cooperation and for the efforts made to recover the artifacts.

He said: "Of course, after the remarks of His Excellency the Minister—a distinguished and cultured politician, eloquent and fluent in his speech—I am at a loss for what to say. But first and foremost, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to him for the cooperation he has provided over the past period and for his assistance in recovering these stolen antiquities."

He praised "the concerted efforts of all Lebanese authorities, in full coordination with the Ministry of Culture – Directorate General of Antiquities, to reach this important moment."

He also highlighted "the importance of this experience and the hope that others will benefit from it by strengthening cooperation within the framework of international legislation, with the aim of preserving human memory." He stressed that "Minister Ghassan Salameh was highly committed to completing the handover of the Egyptian antiquities as quickly as possible," and reaffirmed "the Arab Republic of Egypt’s steadfast support for Lebanon."

He renewed his thanks to Minister Ghassan Salameh and to everyone who contributed to the return of the antiquities to their country of origin.

The collection consists of two wooden coffins decorated with colorful designs, masks, wooden dolls, pieces of Coptic textiles, amulets made from glass paste, as well as medium-sized statues.

On September 12, 2023, the Financial Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a judicial mandate authorizing the handover of the antiquities belonging to the Egyptian authorities.

The Ministry of Culture – Directorate General of Antiquities affirmed "its continued commitment to coordination and cooperation with all countries concerned with the protection and recovery of cultural property, particularly with fellow Arab countries, based on its belief that the protection of cultural and historical heritage is a shared responsibility, and that heritage constitutes an essential part of the memory and identity of peoples and civilizations."

It further affirmed "that it will not hesitate to fully exercise its duties and powers in order to preserve and protect cultural and historical heritage, combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property, and work to safeguard this shared human heritage wherever it may be found."

On this occasion, the Ministry of Culture reminded all Lebanese citizens who possess cultural or archaeological property "of the need to declare and register such property with the Directorate General of Antiquities, in accordance with the legal procedures stipulated in Decree No. 3065 and its amendments, in order to preserve cultural property and regulate its possession in accordance with the laws and regulations in force."