U.S. warning against Americans' visit to pyramids "unjustified": Egypt minister

The Egyptian minister of antiquities has described the recent warning issued by the U.S. embassy in Cairo that American citizens should avoid visiting the pyramids as " unjustified".

Antiquities Minister Ahmed Eissa said the embassy issued the warning without any trustworthy evidence that the area is insecure.

The U.S. embassy on Friday urged its nationals to "elevate their situational awareness when traveling to the Pyramids, avoid any late evening or night travel, utilize a recommended or trusted guide and closely guard valuables," saying the embassy is "aware of increasing number of incidents at or near the Pyramids Plateau area."

The warning cited a recent incident in which unknown individuals allegedly pounded on the vehicle carrying tourists and attempted to open its door.

The Egyptian minister stressed that neither the tourism police nor the ministries of antiquities and tourism received any reports or verbal complaints from tourists visiting the Pyramids area.

"On the contrary, the visitors of the Pyramids increased by 10 percent in May 2013 compared with the same period last year, which reflects security improvement and stability in Egypt," he said.