Baghdad asks UNESCO to preserve Abbasid palace damaged by strikes

An official at the UN announced that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is "studying an Iraqi appeal to preserve an Abbasid palace which underwent damages as a result of the US - British air raids against Iraq.

A missile was fired near the palace, which is located in the heart of Baghdad on the bank of Tigris river. It dates back to the era of Khaleifa al-Nasser Eddine Allah (1179-1225 A.D.).

Several days earlier, the Iraqi education minister said that Iraq has appealed to UNESCO and other cultural organizations to condemn the bombardment of the Abbasid palace and work for preserving it.

The palace's curator told the Iraqi daily al-Thawra (revolution) that the missile "caused cracks in the body of the palace, especially because it is located on the bank of the river, whereas its outer door, front and exhibits were broken."

History books said this place was burnt during the era of the Mongol leader Hulaco (1217 - 1265), who controlled Persia and Mesopotamia, conquered Baghdad in 1258 and assassinated al-Khaleifa al-Mutassim Be Allah before he was killed by the Memlukes in Syria.