Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, SANA- A sit-in was staged on Wednesday outside Qasr al-Heer al-Gharbi in the National Museum’s garden in Damascus to condemn the brutal massacres of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Palmyra.
The event, which was organized by the Culture Ministry with the participation of cultural and intellectual figures, denounced blowing up Baalshamin Temple in the UNESCO-listed world heritage site of Palmyra city and the killing of Khaled al-Asaad, world-renowned archeologist, by terrorists of ISIS.
Culture Minister Issam Khalil said during the event “We do not need condemnation issued by some countries but we need serious and responsible political measures and tangible acts by these countries in combating terrorism.”
“Countries which are arming terrorist organizations are supporting terrorism which has perpetrated horrible crimes against the Syrian people and humanity,” Khalil added.
For his part, Minister of Tourism Bishr Yazigi pointed out that Syrians will rebuild Baalshamin Temple, affirming that terrorism will not affect on a civilization aged more than 7000 years.
He added that the Tourism and Culture ministries, with all their institutions, are bent on reviving Palmyra city which is exposed to sabotage acts, vowing to keep the memory of Syrian heroes and prominent figures, particularly martyr Khaled al-Asaad, alive.
Director of the General of Antiquities and Museums Directorate Maamoun Abdelkarim affirmed that targeting the Syrian ruins is a targeting of human heritage, calling for international action to protect ancient monuments in Syria.
He noted that the international condemnation of ISIS crimes in Palmyra must be followed by acts to implement the international resolutions related to preserving cultural heritage in Syria.
Palmyra city, which is listed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is exposed to a series of crimes perpetrated by ISIS terrorist organization which has overrun the city.
Manar al-Frieh/Manal
