almotamar.net - The Minister of Culture Khalid al-Ruwaishan on Wednesday accused foreign embassies and cultural centers operating in Yemen of involvement in antiquities trading besides some gangs, some of which are from state institutions.

Speaking before the parliament on Wednesday he added that there is exaggeration with regard to smuggling abroad of Yemeni antiquities including antique pieces and manuscripts, indicating that 90% those arrested are smuggling forged antiquities whose trade prospered as a side effect of the ministry's measures aimed at curbing smuggling during the last three years. He said the ministry set up a committee to obtain and estimate antiquities and it bought thousands of pieces and manuscripts whose value exceeded one million riyals.

Al-Ruwaishan added by affirming that obtaining antiquities consumes 80% of the ministry's budget and in reply to a question by MP Abde al-Huthaifi the minister said the National Museum is now considered among the best museums in the world and that the ministry is building a House for Manuscripts. The minister also promised the building of the second floor of Thafar Museum in Ibb in the near future.