CAIRO, 16 September 2005 — Egypt’s veteran Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has tendered his resignation in the face of intense criticism over a theater fire that killed 46 people last week, officials said yesterday.
President Hosni Mubarak was expected to accept the resignation of Hosni, one of the longest-serving members of the government, presidency sources said.
“Nobody is above the law,” Attorney General Maher Abdul Wahid had warned Wednesday. “The investigations will cover all — big and small — and those found responsible will be brought to account.” Eight people have been detained over the blaze and face charges of negligence.
A state-run theater caught fire in the town of Beni Suef on the banks of the Nile south of the capital on Sept. 5, killing a total of 46 people and wounding dozens more.
The blaze was apparently caused by candles used during the play that set fire to paper decorations, blocking the main entrance and triggering a stampede as spectators scrambled to the theater’s only other exit.
The tragedy occurred two days before the Sept. 7 presidential election and caused a public outcry, with artists and intellectuals staging several demonstrations calling for Hosni’s resignation.
“I was facing personal accusations even before the investigations were over,” Hosni told the Al-Ahram newspaper.
Resignations from government members are very rare in Egypt but Hosni’s 18 years at the helm of the culture ministry have been tarnished by accusations over antiquities smuggling and controversial policies.
