CAIRO – 18 April 2019: Egypt unveiled a new statue of Ramses II [1279-1213 BCE] Luxor Temple on Thursday after being restored.

The 50-ton statue was broken into more than 50 pieces and was restored by 250 archeological missions over eight months, announced Head of Luxor Antiquities department of the Ministry of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri in celebration at Luxor Temple on the World Heritage Day, Thursday.

Egypt unveiled a new statue of Ramses II [1279-1213 BCE] Luxor Temple on Thursday after being restored. Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie

“The Egyptian missions is who accomplished that! [the restoration],” he said, adding “here we are today announcing the restoration of the fourth Ramses 11 statue after its restoration.” He added that the state is the fourth one belongs to Ramses II at the temple.

Egypt unveiled a new statue of Ramses II [1279-1213 BCE] Luxor Temple on Thursday after being restored. Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie

“This is Luxor’s gift to the entire world on the World Heritage Day!” Waziri said. “We faced a many troubles but we overcame them just like the pharaohs overcame their obstacles and built the greatest monuments in the world […] We did it! We are the Egyptians who did it!” he continued.

The celebration was attended by Prime Minister Mustafa Mabdouli, Minister of Tourism Rania al-Mashat, Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem, dozens of people, celebrities, and more than 40 diplomats.

Egyptian Folklore show was performed prior to unveiling Ramses II statue in inside Luxor Temple.

Egyptian Folklore show was performed prior to unveiling Ramses II statue in inside Luxor Temple. Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie

Former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas told the attendees that he was honored to celebrate the World Heritage Day in Luxor, saying “For the first time we see a prime minister attends World Heritage Day celebration in Egypt!”

“I thank President Sisi for giving big attention to antiquities,” said Hawas.

On Thursday morning, Egypt announced the discovery of a new tomb at the Draa Abul Naga necropolis in Luxor’s West Bank on Thursday.

The tomb dates back to the 18th Dynasty [1549/1550 to 1292 BC] and is considered one of the largest discovered tombs in the archeological site.

The tomb’s findings included a number of Ushabti statues, which means respondent statues.