Egyptian PM holds meeting on scientific institute

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab held a meeting Thursday to probe the needs of the Egyptian Scientific Institute with Scientific Research Minister Sherif Hamad and institute chairman Ibrahim Badran.

The premier ordered drafting a bill to place the institute under the supervision of the Cabinet instead of the Social Solidarity Ministry.

The meeting was also attended by institute fund secretary Saad Nassar and secretary general Mohamed Abdel Rahman el Sharnoby.

The officials told Mahlab that 80% of the books that were torched at the building during violent incidents in 2011 have been restored.

The institute along with buildings of the Cabinet, the People's Assembly and the Shura Council were set ablaze during violent clashes in downtown Cairo in December 2011.