Iman Chairman condemns burning of thousands of rare documents in Egypt clash

Volunteers, ranging from academic experts to appalled citizens, have spent the last few days trying to salvage what's left of some 192,000 books, journals and writings, casualties of Egypt's latest bout of violence.

Institute d'Egypte, a research center set up by Napoleon Bonaparte during France's invasion in the late 18th century, caught fire during clashes between protesters and Egypt's military over the weekend. It was home to a treasure trove of writings, most notably the handwritten 24-volume Description de l'Egypte, which began during the 1798-1801 French occupation.

The compilation, which includes 20 years of observations by more than 150 French scholars and scientists, was one of the most comprehensive descriptions of Egypt's monuments, its ancient civilization and contemporary life at the time.

The Description of Egypt is likely burned beyond repair. Its home, the two-story historic institute near Tahrir Square, is now in danger of collapsing after the roof caved in. Most of the contents were destroyed in the fire that raged for more than 12 hours.

At least 16 truckloads with around 50,000 manuscripts, some damaged beyond repair, have been moved from the sidewalks outside the U.S. Embassy and the American University in Cairo, both near the burned institute, to the main library.

At a news conference, a general from the country's ruling military council said an investigation was under way to find who set the building on fire. State television aired images of men in plainclothes burning the building and dancing around the fire Saturday afternoon.

Commenting on the fire, Ribal Al-Assad, the Chairman of the Iman Foundation said:

"This is a dark day for Egypt. The institute and its contents were a treasure trove of Egyptian history and culture. I am deeply saddened that future generations of Egyptians have been robbed of the chance to see documents, which gave a unique insight into their history. The perpetrators of this criminal act must be brought to justice."