Egypt has completed the restoration of reputedly the world's oldest Christian monastery, called Saint Anthony's.
The
monastery is believed to be 1,600 years old. The government-sponsored
restoration project cost over $14m (£8.9m) and took more than eight
years.
The monastery is a popular site for Coptic Christian pilgrims.
The
restoration comes soon after Egypt's worst incident of sectarian
violence in a decade, when six Copts were shot dead on Christmas Eve.
BBC's
Cairo correspondent Yolande Knell says it is hoped the newly-restored
monastery in Suez City will be held up as a sign of co-existence
between Egypt's Muslim majority and Christian minority.
Solitary life
Speaking
at the site, Egypt's chief archaeologist Zahi Hawass stressed that
restoration work at the monastery was carried out by Muslims.
"The
announcement we are making today shows to the world how we are keen to
restore the monuments of our past, whether Coptic, Jewish or Muslim,"
said Mr Hawass.
Saint Anthony settled in a cave in remote
mountains close to the Red Sea at the end of the 3rd Century to live in
isolation. When he died, his followers built the monastery and named it
after him.
The project has restored an ancient wall, a tower, two main churches and the monks' quarters.