Egypt Tourism Minister Resigns Over Appointing Islamist as Luxor Governor

Egypt Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou submitted his resignation to the cabinet on Tuesday, protesting against President Mohammad Mursi’s decision to appoint an Islamist as the governor of Luxor.

Prime Minister Hisham Qandil refused Zaazou’s resignation and asked him to keep in his post until the cabinet reconsiders the issue, according to his press spokeswoman.

The appointment of Mohammad Adel al-Khayat as the governor of Luxor angered those who work in the tourism sector since he is a member of the extremist group al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, blamed for the killing of 58 tourists in Luxor in 1997.

Khayat tried to ease the concerns by asserting that Luxor is open to all tourists from all over the world.

“All the state officials, especially I, are responsible for the tourists’ security and wellbeing,” he told Reuters on Wednesday.

Luxor city is home to some of the country’s most famous pharaonic ruins, and derives most of its income from tourism. But tourism has already fallen dramatically since Egypt’s uprising in 2011, and locals fear any reminder of the 1997 attacks will further deter tourists.