Egypt's national antiquities department says it will cut ties with the Louvre until four archaeological reliefs stolen from the tomb of the pharaoh Tetaki in the 1980s are returned. The Louvre acquired the pieces in 2000 and 2003, assuming it was doing so legally, but in 2008 archaeologists rediscovered the tomb and determined that the frescoes had been stripped away by thieves.

Egypt says the reason for cutting ties is the Louvre’s refusal to return the pieces, while the Louvre says it is open to returning them, after a formal investigation by a special committee that would make the ultimate decision. While the relics are still in France, the Louvre will not be permitted to conduct any business in Egypt, including participating in lectures and excavations.

The Louvre says a national committee will make the call on Friday, with the Culture Ministry’s final approval. The ministry's secretary, Frédéric Mitterrand, has said he believes the reliefs should be returned.