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UNESCO calls for immediate ceasefire around Syria's Palmira site

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova
PARIS, May 20 (KUNA) - - UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on Wednesday repeated a call to save the ancient Syrian site of Palimira, which is under attack and in danger of destruction by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
A statement from Bokova called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" to save one of the Middle East's most famous sites.
"I am deeply concerned by the situation at the site of Palmira. The fighting is putting at risk one of the most significant sites in the Middle East, and its civilian population," said Bokova, in her most recent appeal.
"I further call on the international community to do everything in its power to protect the affected civilian population and safeguard the unique cultural heritage of Palmira," she added.
She also urged belligerents to respect international obligations with regard to protecting cultural heritage during conflicts and she called on all parties to avoid directly targeting heritage sites or using them for military purposes.
Palmira contains significant vestiges, some dating back from the first and second centuries and the ruins stand at the crossroads of several civilisations, UNESCO noted in its statement. (end) jk.ibi