Supreme Culture Council chief Mohamed Badran dismissed on Saturday reports that quoted him as saying that "there is no place now for old officials."

"I appreciate and respect all members of the council's committees for their expertise, thought and literature," Badran said.

He explained that he meant that there can be young members in these panels.

Badran also denied news that a statue of Rafaa Tahtawy outside the national translation center was removed.

"This is unfounded. The statue is still in its place," he said.