Egypt’s tourism minister Hesham Zazou has quit in protest at the appointment of a new governor in Luxor who has connections with Islamic groups linked to a terror attack in the city.

President Mohammed Mursi has yet to accept Zazou’s resignation.

The appointment of Adel Khayat also led to protests in Luxor and it is feared that it will damage the city’s tourism sector.

Khayat is a member of the political organisation known as Gamaa Islamiya, the group that claimed they were behind a terrorist attack on an ancient temple in 1997 that killed 58 tourists.

Khayat denies any role in the attack, stating: “All these are fabrications, fables and fantasies of sick minds – all totally unfounded”.

The appointment of Khayat follows the selection of a number of new Islamist governors by president Mursi. It is said to be a move by Mursi to build up Islamic support for his presidency ahead of planned anti-government protests on 30 June.

A total of 13 out of Egypt’s 27 governorships are now controlled by Muslim Brotherhood members or allies.

Anti-government sentiment has been growing across Egypt as the economy flounders and the general public lose faith in Mursi’s presidency.

A movement known as Tamarod or Rebellion, initially started by young activists, has been gaining popular support with mass protests planned at the end of June.