Nestled near the iconic Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is preparing for a lavish opening, featuring a towering statue of Ramses II and more than 100,000 artefacts, including Tutankhamun's golden treasures.

After two decades of planning, the GEM is set to open fully on July 3, following a partial opening in October.

Its long-awaited debut comes after years of delays caused by political instability, economic crises, and the global pandemic.

Ahmed Ghoneim, the museum's director, said the inauguration could span several days, with celebrations extending beyond the museum and pyramids to sites across Egypt and even abroad.

"It will be a spectacular showcase of Egypt's historical and touristic potential," Ghoneim told Egypt's ON TV.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has invited US President Donald Trump and Spain's King Felipe VI to attend the ceremony.

"This museum is the (world's) largest museum for a single civilisation, which is the Pharaonic civilisation," Sisi said in December.

Spanning 50 hectares (120 acres), the GEM is twice........

© Al Monitor