Kuwait elated for safeguarding Jerusalem as heritage

By Mashael Bashir PARIS, Oct 27 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait has expressed deep satisfaction at the World Heritage Committee's decision to maintain the holy city of Jerusalem and Al-Buraq Wall in the list of global heritage sites.
Dr. Meshaal Hayat, the State of Kuwait Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO, said the committee decision accounts to a victory for Palestine and the Arab Group at this international quarter.
Speaking to KUNA following the second meeting of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, Hayat said the 12-article resolution, presented by Kuwait and Tunisia, was approved by 10 countries out of the commission 12 member states.
The resolution urges Israel to halt all excavation work in the ancient sector of Jerusalem as such activities breach the UNESCO resolutions for protecting the heritage. It also calls on Tel Aviv to open Al-Rahma Gate, one of Al-Aqsa Mosque gates.
Moreover, it demands unconditional permits for all teams working for preserving the heritage in Jerusalem and lifting restrictions on Muslims praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On the State of Kuwait role as Deputy Chairman of the World Heritage Commission, the permanent delegate pledged that no effort would be spared for safeguarding the Arab historic sites, in addition to backing historic treasures in Africa and Latin America.
He hoped that the seat, along with efforts by stakeholders in Kuwait, would boost the bids for enlisting the Kuwaiti sites by the World Heritage Committee. (end) mmb.rk