13 Oct 2012

Pyramid of Chefren open again

8:22 pm on 13 October 2012

One of the Great Pyramids is open again as Egypt attempts to revive a tourism industry hit by last year's uprising.

Antiquities Minister Muhammad Ibrahim reopened the Pyramid of Chefren (Khafre) and six ancient tombs at Giza on Thursday after a long restoration project.

He said he was keen to stress that Egypt is a safe country for tourists.

A BBC correspondent says visitor numbers have only just begun to pick up after last year's revolution, but many westerners still see Egypt as something of a war zone.

The economy is still weak and security situation is volatile.

Mr Ibrahim, who inspected the newly opened monument, said other archaeological sites were due to be opened across Egypt in the coming months.

The Pyramid of Chefren is the second largest at Giza and the tomb of the Pharaoh Khafre is from ancient Egypt's fourth dynasty. It rises to a height of 136m (446ft).