Lebanon returns 37 smuggled Pharaonic artifacts to Egypt
An Egyptian artifact returned by Lebanon are displayed at the National Museum, Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)
by Daily Sabah with AA
Sep 18, 2026 11:57 am


Lebanon has returned 37 ancient artifacts dating to the Pharaonic period to Egypt after they were smuggled into the country.

According to Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA), Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh handed the artifacts to Egyptian Ambassador to Beirut Alaa Moussa during a ceremony at the National Museum of Beirut.

An Egyptian artifact returned by Lebanon is displayed at the National Museum, Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)

Salameh said the artifacts were seized at the Port of Beirut in 2020.

He said the return was carried out under the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Salameh also said Lebanon expected those who illegally possess Lebanese cultural property to return the artifacts.

An Egyptian artifact returned by Lebanon is displayed at the National Museum, Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)

Moussa thanked Lebanese authorities for their efforts to recover the artifacts and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in protecting cultural heritage.

The 37 artifacts include two wooden coffins with colorful decorations, masks, wooden dolls, pieces of Coptic textiles and medium-sized statues