TEHRAN -- A top official of the 23rd Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) has said that he is unaware of the closure of the Egyptian pavilion at the TIBF.

“I’m not aware of the closing of the Egyptian pavilion at the TIBF. At least, such an incident has not occurred before yesterday,” TIBF international section director Mohammadreza Vasfi told the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency on Saturday.
The Egyptian pavilion was shut down at the TIBF on Thursday for offering “Arabian Gulf Encyclopedia”, a book promoting the false, misleading and recently-concocted name of Arabian gulf in place of the correct, long-established and historically-documented name of Persian Gulf.
Tehran Police Chief Hossein Sajedinia said the pavilion was shut down and police forces recovered the previously distributed copies of the book with the assistance of TIBF officials and judicial authorities.
“Arabian publishing companies are unaware of our sensitivities on this issue, so we face similar problems every year during the TIBF,” Vasfi said.
It has been rumored that an Italian pavilion has also been closed down at the TIBF.
“No Italian publishing companies whatsoever are participating in this year’s book fair so as to be shut down,” Vasfi noted.
“However, a number of Italian publications are being offered by other foreign publishers at the TIBF,” he added.
“Due to their indiscipline, Italian publishing companies are not interesting enough to be invited to international book fairs, including the TIBF,” Vasfi said to explain why TIBF did not invite Italian publishing companies.
A total of 980 foreign publishers from some 90 countries are participating in the TIBF, which runs until May 15.