Unesco places 34 cultural sites in Lebanon under “temporary reinforced protection”

Unesco announced on Monday to place “temporary reinforced protection” 34 cultural sites in Lebanon threatened by Israeli bombings, and provide emergency financial assistance to save this country’s heritage.

These sites “now benefit from the highest level of immunity against attack and use for military purposes”according to the press release from the UN organization dedicated to science, culture and education.

“Failure to comply with these clauses would constitute a serious violation of the 1954 Hague Convention (for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, editor’s note) and would open the possibility of prosecution”warns Unesco. Israel continues its deadly strikes, in open war since September 23 against the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah.

Among the properties listed are the archaeological sites of Baalbek and Tyre, listed as world heritage sites, and “near which strikes have been noted recently”according to Unesco.

Other sites and monuments present in thousand-year-old cities are concerned, such as Saida, Anjar, the Beiteddine Palace and the National Museum of Beirut.

This decision comes after the holding on Monday of a « session extraordinaire » of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, at the request of Lebanon, in the Parisian premises of UNESCO.

This also follows a petition addressed to Unesco by 300 personalities from the world of culture, including archaeologists and academics, who on Sunday called on the institution to guarantee the protection of Lebanese heritage.

Reacting to UNESCO’s decision, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed in a press release “a victory for the law and a resounding snub for the Israeli enemy who continues its destructive attacks against Lebanon”.

“This judgment constitutes a powerful deterrent against the Israeli enemy, because it qualifies any attack against archaeological sites as a war crime, justifying the prosecution of those responsible before international courts”he added.

“UNESCO maintains deep and long-standing cooperation with Lebanon. We will spare no effort to provide all the expertise and assistance necessary to protect its exceptional heritage”for her part declared the general director of the organization Audrey Azoulay.