ALECSO calls for protecting Arab urban, architectural heritage

TUNIS, March 24 (KUNA) -- The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) on Friday called for launching a plan to protect Arab urban and architectural heritage.
The plan is to include a database on historic buildings and sites, especially in conflict-ridden areas, said ALECSO Director General Dr. Abdullah Muhareb, of Kuwait.
His remarks were read on his behalf by ALECSO director of culture Hayat Qatat during the international forum on the observatory of Arab urban and architectural heritage.
The forum's theme proclaims the observatory as a "tool" to monitor destruction suffered by Arab cities during war and armed conflicts.
ALECSO, according to Muhareb, is urged to revitalize the role of the observatory, which was launched in October last year.
Upon the launch, the observatory was set to establish the database that will help the Tunis-based organisation extend technical assistance to Arab countries in the areas of documentation, media and control, as well as assessment of reconstruction in conflict-plagued Arab cities to save archaeological sites.
One of the most important cities that needed observation is Jerusalem, which has been, and still is going under continuous attacks by Israel, Muhareb noted. (end) ksj.hb