Egypt: No Iranian tourists here just yet

National security considerations postpone campaign to bring visitors from Islamic Republic to pyramids, tourism minister says

Boats awaiting customers on the Nile river, Egypt, Sept. 28, 2013 (photo credit: AP/Hassan Ammar)
Boats awaiting customers on the Nile river, Egypt, Sept. 28, 2013 (photo credit: AP/Hassan Ammar)

Egypt’s tourism minister says a campaign to bring Iranian visitors to Egypt will remain suspended because of national security considerations.

Hesham Zazou, speaking at an economic conference Tuesday, said the return of Iranian tourists must be part of a general improvement in relations.

Under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, Zazou visited Tehran to lure Iranian tourists and flights between the two countries were briefly resumed. But Egypt quickly halted its campaign following opposition from ultraconservative Sunni groups who view Shiite Iran as a threat to their strain of Islam.

Morsi was toppled July 3. Zazou’s remarks, carried by the official Middle East News Agency, indicate the policy will continue under the new military-backed government.

Relations between Egypt and Iran soured after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Diplomatic relations remain severed.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.