Ministry of Antiquities halts cooperation with Toledo Museum of Art

The Ministry of Antiquities won't have any future cooperation with the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio following two auctions organized by the museum to sell some Egyptian, Cypriot and Italian monuments, a senior official has said. 

The auctions were held in violation of the code of ethics of the International Council of Museums, said Shaaban Abdel Gawwad, the general supervisor of the department of restored monuments, Monday.

Efforts are still ongoing to halt the selling operation and restore the Egyptian monuments through diplomatic channels, Abdel Gawwad said. 

The Toledo Museum of Art had announced it was selling some of its items that included ancient Egyptian pieces. 

The auctions were held on October 19 and 25.