Zahi Hawass, Egypt's minister of state for antiquities affairs, met today with an Iraqi delegation representing their foreign affairs, interior, justice and museums ministeries. The delegation was led by Mohi El Din Hussein Abdalla, the Iraqi plenipotentiary minister.

During the meeting they discussed several topics, among them Egypt’s contribution in protecting Egypt’s archaeological heritage and retrieving its illegally looted and smuggled antiquities as well as the construction of new museums and storehouses.

The Iraqi delegation asked the ministry of state for antiquities affairs to provide them with Egyptian experts to help them in the establishment of exhibitions and administering archaeological exhibitions abroad.

They also discussed different means of cooperation between the museums and field of antiquities in both countries.

Hawass was more than ready to help the Iraqi people in their efforts to return back their artefacts from foreign countries and museums abroad. He also invited Iraq to attend the second international conference for the restitution of artefacts to be held soon in Cairo. The inaugural conference was held last year in Cairo.

Hawass also asked the Iraqi team to provide a list of all the required Iraqi objects to distribute it among museums around the world and the international media.