CAIRO (AP).- Egypt's minister of antiquities says a special police force will be set up to protect archaeological sites and museums around the country, following a wave of vandalism and looting.

Zahi Hawass told reporters Tuesday that authorities have been unable to protect antiquities because police personnel guarding the ancient sites were not armed.

He also announced the retrieval of four artifacts of the 37 looted from the Egyptian Museum during the weeks of protest that eventually ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

The artifacts belonged to the world famous King Tutankhamun collection.


Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.