Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé’s tour in the city of Tyre (Ahmad Mantash).

He inspected archaeological and heritage sites and closely observed the extent of damage caused by Israeli airstrikes inside these sites, as well as in some streets and residential and commercial neighborhoods.

Accompanying him on his tour, which began at the archaeological site of Al-Bass, were MPs Inaya Ezzeddine, Ali Khreis, and Hussein Jishi, Deputy Mayor of Tyre Alwan Sharafeddine, Captain Ali Bazi representing the Internal Security Forces, as well as several staff members from the Tyre Antiquities Department.

Tour of Minister of Culture Ghassan Salame in the city of Tyre (Ahmed Manch).

He revealed two decisions taken by the ministry. The first concerns placing the antiquities of Tyre on the list of endangered sites, saying: “This entails additional international responsibilities for their protection, because the aggression could be repeated at any time.” The second decision is to submit a request to UNESCO to have the five castles of Jabal Amel in Tebnine, Deir Kifa, Shaqra, Beaufort, and Shamaa recognized as part of the world heritage of humanity. For further protection, he said they will request, during the Heritage Committee meeting scheduled for 17 July in South Korea, that they be added to the list of sites of outstanding universal value.

He added: “Next Monday, my colleague Minister Tarek Mitri will deliver a speech at the Human Rights Council, and I have included in his speech a paragraph addressing heritage sites and the damage they have suffered, as a violation of Lebanon’s rights.”

Before leaving Tyre, Salamé held a meeting with the Mayor of Tyre Hassan Dbouk at the municipality headquarters.