Egypt antiquities boss under fire over thefts,jobs

* Hawass pressed to explain thefts from museum

* Protesters complain about wages, thefts

* Hawass key figure in promoting Egyptian tourism

By Andrew Hammond

CAIRO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Egypt's antiquities chief Zahi Hawass defended himself on Wednesday from a wave of criticism over looting at the Egyptian Museum during the revolution last month and accusations of corruption in his ministry.

Hawass initially played down reports of theft from the museum, home to priceless treasures from Pharaonic Egypt, after security forces clashed on Jan. 28 with millions of Egyptians who eventually succeeded in ousting President Hosni Mubarak.

Promoted to the level of minister of state during Mubarak's reshuffle after the uprising had gathered pace, Hawass told Reuters on Feb. 9 that no artefacts had been stolen.

But this week Hawass, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), admitted eight valuable pieces from the era of Pharaohs Tutankhamun and Akhenaten were stolen, raising questions about why he had said otherwise. Experts have suggested the thieves knew exactly what they were looking for.