1.   One morning when I arrived at work, to my astonishment, there were two stone lion statues on either side of my front door.

2.   The lions, Ms. Dandois said, were inspired by the Egyptian lion statues at the base of the staircase at the Capitoline Hill in Rome.

3.   But when you enter between the lion statues guarding this turreted fortress of books, surprises await.

4.   Government archaeologists said that sun, salt and wind were slowly destroying the lion statues, which were a gift from the citizens of the nearby island of Naxos.

5.   Renovations begin on the railings and four lion statues of the Kasr El-Nil Bridge, sparking an unanticipated public outcry.

6.   A pair of lion statues standing near the entrance is thought to safeguard the good luck of the building and chase away evil spirits.