Due to political and security reasons, the opening of the first phase of the third Egyptian metro-line will be postponed, a source close to the National Authority for Tunnels told Shorouk Newspaper.

The opening will not take place until the situation in the country is settled, even if that takes several months, he added. The metro-line passes by the Headquarters of the General Secretariats of the Ministry of Defense, which seems to be the main reason for the delay, following the Port Said Massacre and the resulting demonstrations in that area.

Atta ElSherbiny, head of the National Authority for Tunnels, told Shorouk Newspaper that the first phase of the third metro-line will be ready for the public, as soon as it is thoroughly tested. A list of attendees for the opening ceremony is being established in the time-being, including several international companies and foreign experts, as well as the Head of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces Hussein Tantawi and Prime Minister Kamal ElGanzoury.

The timing of the opening is in the hands of the Ministry for Transportation, according to Shorouk Newspaper.