Egyptian Minister for Antiquities Zahi Hawass said restoration of 70 artifacts damaged at the Egyptian Museum last week will conclude in five days' time.
Hawass praised citizens at Tahrir Square who helped keep the museum secure during the protests that began on 25 January calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's ouster.
He said that a number of rioters had managed to get into the museum–located in Tahrir–and steal some artifacts.
Protesters said policemen were captured while stealing artifacts from the museum and were handed over to the army. Police had withdrawn from greater Cairo after clashing with protesters on 28 January.
Hawass said on Sunday he may inspect archeological sites later. He asserted that rumors of thefts in Menf, Sakkara, and Abu Seer are untrue and that all archeological, pharaonic, Islamic, Christian and Jewish sites as well as stores, tombs and temples are safe.
