Egypt at last opened the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum on Saturday as performers dressed in white tunics embroidered with designs inspired by ancient frescoes, greeted guests.

"Today, as we celebrate together the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we are writing a new chapter in the history of the present and the future," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told a gathering of dignitaries, sitting in the museum's square.

Cairo has pinned great hopes on the long-delayed museum, which is a key plank of plans to revive the tourism industry so vital to its troubled economy.

It will be home to tens of thousands of objects dating back more than six millennia.

The audience a the opening watched a spectacular display of light and music, with the pyramids towering in front of them.

O

See Full Page