Nobel prize laureate Ahmad Zewail arrived in Cairo Thursday for the first time after 16 months.
Zewail suffered a cancerous tumor in the spinal cord.
In statements upon arrival at Cairo Airport, he said he was optimistic about Egypt's future and on using scientific research for progress. He said he was ready to do anything to serve his country.
Zewail will stay in Egypt for a month.
While here, he will meet with Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and the ministers of scientific research, and higher education as well as students and researchers in Zewail City for Science and Technology.