CAIRO: Dr. Zahi Hawass, the world-renowned archaeologist and Egyptologist, has called for the removal or relocation of the statue of French archeologist Jean Francois Champollion, which is located in the courtyard of College de France, because it is offensive to the Egyptian people.

The statue depicts Champollion standing with his foot on the head of the statue of Ramses.

Hawass made the request during a lecture recently delivered at a major antiquities exhibition in Paris entitled “Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs,” which continues until Sept. 17.

BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi said Lebanon needs “a trustworthy leader” during Mass on Easter Sunday.

Al-Rahi added that “a leader that is not trusted cannot remain in power,” and said that the government could not allow the country to be used by “those disturbing its security and sovereignty.”

His appeal came as Western Christian communities celebrated Easter Sunday, the holiest day in its calendar, while Eastern Orthodox Christian communities celebrated Palm Sunday in Lebanon.

RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council has condemned Israel’s escalation in Jerusalem and repeated attacks by Israeli soldiers on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi criticized the violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa and the lack of respect of Israeli forces during Ramadan.

Albudaiwi said that Israeli aggression during the holy month and the continuation of the incursions at the mosque were a violation of the sanctities of the holy sites.

RIYADH: A Jordanian cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh on Sunday decided to approve measures to facilitate transfer of non-Jordanian workers into various economic sectors and activities, aimed to regulate the country’s labor market and reduce number of illegal workers.

The Council of Ministers set a three-month deadline to implement the procedures, provided that the situation is re-assessed after the end of this period.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis noted his “deep concern” on Sunday over a flare-up in tensions between Israel and Palestinians, delivering an Easter Mass in which he denounced the barriers to peace in the world.
He said the renewed violence “threatens the desired climate of trust and mutual respect needed to resume dialogue,” addressing a crowd of some 100,000 gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.