Syria urges UNESCO to protect archeological sites on Golan

Syria on Sunday asked the United Nations Social Education and Culture Organization UNESCO to protect Syrian archeological sites on Golan Heights under the Israeli occupation.

"There are 208 archeological sites under the Israeli occupation in the Quneitra governorate, south eastern Syria. They are in persistent need to the UNESCO support and charity parties to protect these sites," Minister of Culture Mahmoud Al-sayed said.

Al-sayed discussed today with Assistant Director General of the UNESCO cultural affaire ties regarding subject of categorizing archeological sites and preserving them as well developing surroundings.

UNESCO representative Mounir Boushnaq said the aim of his visit was to study the best ways to register sites presented by the Ministry of Culture in the international heritage list.

"Such a step will provide protection to these sties and encourage on running them and developing them from the economic, social and culture view point," Boushnaq said.

He considered Syria's joining to the accord of preserving the non-material heritage as a boost for Syria's preservation of heritage.