Two attempts to steal rare tapes from Egyptian Television have been foiled, a security official said today. The tapes contain important sixty-year-old political footage.

Nabil al-Tablawi, head of the security department of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, said they include footage of the wedding of King Farouk, the appointment of Mohamed Naguib as the first president of Egypt and the meeting of the revolutionary Free Officers on 23 July 1952.

Al-Tablawi said the attempts were made a few days ago at different locations in the building. Both attempts were captured on surveillance cameras.

He added that the two suspects are directors of the specialized channels sector of Egyptian Television and are currently being questioned.

Securing the Egyptian Television heritage library is a top priority, said al-Tablawi, adding that security plans are being coordinated with the armed forces.