Egypt's PM denies news on relocating residents of some Old Cairo neighborhoods

CAIRO - 14 March 2020: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli denied Saturday reports circulated on social networks websites, claiming that the government plans to demolish some neighborhoods in Old Cairo and relocate its residents.

Madbouli’s remarks came during his inspection at several historical sites in Old Cairo, along with Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled Anani, Cairo governor Khaled Abdel Aal, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mostafa Waziri, and other officials.

Rejecting these reports, Madbouli said the government’s plan pays special focus on developing and improving services, not demolishment or relocation of residents.

Egypt was committed to securing Cairo's historical sites from various ages, he said.

The premier said that Egypt’s development projects aim at restoring Cairo’s heritage role, as it is vibrant with culture, antiquities and monuments, which reflects various layers of heritage form different ages.

Cairo should be returned as cultural, heritage and historical hub, as well as a historical tourist destination, Madbouli stressed.

This comes as part of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives for restoring Cairo’s elegance and civilized appearance.

He stressed the value of the Old Cairo was not restricted to its rich heritage and antiquities, but also in the ancient handcrafts.

The government aims at protecting these handicrafts and developing them amid its development plan to whole Old Cairo.

These handicrafts are considered as an integral part of Old Cairo, the premier asserted, adding that relocating these professions from this area could suffer negative impacts.

The prime minister pointed out that Old Cairo neighborhoods include around 537 monumental buildings, registered in the World Heritage of UNESCO, which were planned to be protected and preserved in the government’s development plans.