Antiquities Minister Khaled el Anani on Wednesday met with US Ambassador to Egypt R. Stephen Beecroft and US antiquities mission commissioner Thamoas H. Goldberge.

The meeting tackled mutual cooperation in the archaeological field.

In the upcoming weeks, the ministry with the US side will start draining groundwater in Kom al Shokafa graves in Alexandria and Kom Ombo in Aswan in a bid to protect archaeological sites there.

The minister discussed with the head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Homeland Security Department Bryan Louis, ways to restore smuggled and stolen Egyptian antiquities in the US.

A memorandum of understanding will be signed between the two countries soon to put an end to illicit antiquities trade.

Source: MENA