Briefs

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Lost leader

THE HEAD of the Labour Party, Ibrahim Shoukri, died on Monday at the age of 92. During a long career Shoukri served as minister of agriculture and governor of Al-Wadi Al-Gadid. The Labour Party has been inoperative since 2000.

E Agrium plant cancelled

THE SUPREME Council of Energy decided on Tuesday to cancel the construction of the E Agrium fertiliser plant planned for Ras Al-Barr island in the Mediterranean city of Damietta. The council also announced no future industrial projects would be allowed on the island since tourist developments "best suit its nature".

The Council of Ministers issued a statement following the decision saying that the cancellation had come in response to "President Hosni Mubarak's instructions to take into consideration the opinions of the local community and civil society". The statement added that halting the project was in line with the People's Assembly fact-finding commission which had recommended it be relocated to an industrial zone.

"The Egyptian company Mobco will acquire E Agrium's shares in the project in order to implement the company's plans in the industrial zone located west of the canal [bordering Ras Al-Barr island]."

Construction of the LE10 billion plant was halted several months ago after the local community, civil society organisations and environmentalists raised the alarm about its potential impact on public health. In future, industrial activity in the area will be monitored by an environmental observatory to be built in Damietta.