Wednesday 20 February 2013

UNESCO to rebuild Timbuktu


UNESCO representatives have decided to reconstruct Mali's World Heritage site at Timbuktu. Anti-government militants destroyed historic Islamic tombs there last June.

About 150 people gathered on Monday at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO. Experts in preserving cultural remains joined discussions on how to repair the ruins.

Militants destroyed the tombs during their occupation of northern Mali. They regarded the sites as idolatrous, based on their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

UNESCO World Heritage officials say the site was a center for the propagation of Islam throughout Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Director General Irina Bokova told participants the site has universal value, and its destruction harms everyone.

The participants agreed to raise about 11 million dollars to collect data and start reconstruction. They will also use funds for training local experts.

Malian Culture Minister Bruno Maiga said he is happy about the strong international support for his country's cultural heritage.

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