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Egypt's antiquities minister says long-planned Grand Museum will be managed internationally

Associated Press
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Cranes work at the site of Egypt's Grand museum, near the Giza Pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. The massive new museum being built by the Pyramids is intended to house 100,000 ancient artifacts including King Tutankhamun's mummy. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Cranes rise at the site of Egypt's Grand museum, near the historical site of the Giza Pyramids just outside of Cairo, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. The massive new museum by the Pyramids is intended to house 100,000 ancient artifacts including King Tutankhamun's mummy. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Cranes rise at the site of Egypt's Grand museum, near the historical site of the Giza Pyramids just outside of Cairo, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. The massive new museum by the Pyramids is intended to house 100,000 ancient artifacts including King Tutankhamun's mummy. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Egypt's antiquities minister says the long-planned Grand Egyptian Museum will have an independent, international directorship in an effort to overcome bureaucracy.

Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty said Tuesday the awaited museum near the Pyramids of Giza will be "independent" from the Egyptian government. He spoke at a news conference near its 120-acre construction site.

Former antiquities minister and famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass told The Associated Press in June that the museum must be international because "government routine cannot work for museums."

The Egyptian government is trying to revive its battered tourism industry after four years of turmoil.

Only a short portion of the museum's foundation has been built so far. It was originally scheduled to already have opened but was repeatedly delayed over what the government said was lack of funds.