Egypt rejects accusations of mismanagement in restoration of oldest pyramid

Building materials gather dust at the foot of the Djoser Pyramid in Saqqara, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. The restoration of the 4,600-year old pyramid has prompted controversy between the Ministry of Antiquities, activists and archaeologists including the new brick work at the base of the pyramid. (AP Photo/Samuel McNeil) (The Associated Press)

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Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh el-Damaty talks to journalists about the restoration of the 4,600-year old Djoser Pyramid, 30 kilometers southwest of Cairo, in Saqqara, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. The restoration of the 4,600-year old pyramid has prompted controversy between the Ministry of Antiquities, activists and archaeologists. (AP Photo/Samuel McNeil) (The Associated Press)

Hussien Ahmed, 70, a camel rider, talks to a visitor in front of the Djoser Pyramid, 30 kilometers southwest of Cairo, in Saqqara, Egypt, Sept. 16, 2014. The restoration of the 4,600-year old pyramid has prompted controversy between the Ministry of Antiquities, activists and archaeologists. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

SAQQARA, Egypt – Egypt's antiquities minister has brought journalists inside a 4,600-year old pyramid to reject recent accusations of mismanagement at the site as false and "without evidence."

At a press conference Tuesday at the Saqqara pyramid complex, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Cairo, Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh el-Damaty decried recent media reports alleging that the Djoser pyramid might collapse.

He welcomed journalists inside the towering stone pyramid. The inner chamber was surrounded by steel and wood scaffolding.

The government has recently announced a range of programs to revitalize the tourism sector, which fell by nearly 46 percent following the 2011 uprising. Funded by museum and site ticket sales, the ministry of antiquities is facing bankruptcy as international tourists remain wary of visiting Egypt after three years of turmoil.