| 1 | CAIRO - Egypt's antiquities minister is urging Egyptians to raise nearly $25 million so that the country can buy back an ancient Egyptian statue sold by an English museum to an unknown party, which Egypt says sets a dangerous precedent. |
| 2 | Mamdouh el-Damaty said Saturday that a British ban on the statue leaving the country, which expires on Friday, means that the need is urgent. |
| 3 | He says the statue of Sekhemka could end up in a private collection unless other parties are able to collect the funds. |
| 4 | The sale is deemed legal in Britain. |
| 5 | Egypt, home to a massive wealth of ancient antiquities, banned their sale in 1983. |