Beirut, Sept. 17 (SANA)Lebanon has returned 37 Pharaonic artifacts toEgyptsix years after they were seized at Beirut port following their illegal removal from the country, Lebanese authorities said.

Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh handed the artifacts to Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa during a ceremony at the National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

Salameh said Lebanese authorities worked with Egypt, Interpol and Lebanon’s Public Prosecution Office to verify the ownership and authenticity of theartifacts.

The collection includes two painted wooden coffins, masks, wooden figurines, Coptic textiles, glass-paste amulets and medium-sized statues.

Salameh said the return was carried out in accordance with the 1970 international convention on preventing the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

Lebanon’s Public Prosecution Office issued a judicial decision on Sept. 12 authorizing the handover to Egyptian authorities.

Lebanon’s Culture Ministry and Directorate General ofAntiquitiessaid they would continue cooperating with other countries, particularly Arab states, to protect and recover cultural property.