Unesco Chief Inspects Endangered Lebanese Cultural Sites Amid Continuing Conflict

Unesco Director General Khaled El Enany visited Beirut on Wednesday to meet with President Joseph Aoun, reviewing the precarious condition of Lebanon's renowned cultural landmarks amid ongoing military operations. Last month, Unesco granted emergency World Heritage in Danger status to five castles located in southern Lebanon. Earlier this year, the historic southern city of Tyre—recognized as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements—was also added to the endangered list following repeated attacks.

President Aoun stated that Unesco's solidarity highlights a growing international recognition of the severe dangers facing Lebanese heritage due to the conflict in the south. He emphasized that the five designated structures represent centuries of history and form a vital part of global heritage. During the meeting, Mr El Enany presented President Aoun with a commemorative plaque marking the inclusion of Beaufort, Shamaa, Chaqra, Deir Kifa, and Tebine on the endangered list. Among these, the historic crusader fortress of Beaufort faces extreme vulnerability and is currently occupied by Israel, with recent nearby demolitions generating seismic activity measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale.

Unesco emphasized that these historic locations illustrate the historical development of regional defensive architecture spanning from the Crusades and Islamic dynasties through the late 19th century. Following their discussion, Mr El Enany reaffirmed that Unesco stands fully committed to supporting the nation through emergency measures, recovery, and future rebuilding efforts. The Unesco head also held talks with Lebanon's Culture Minister, Ghassan Salame, who expressed gratitude for the international community's dedication to safeguarding, restoring, and transmitting this universal heritage to future generations.

Later, both officials planned to visit Al Bass in Tyre, the renowned archaeological site that sustained partial damage from earlier strikes during the conflict with Hezbollah. In early June, an air strike destroyed a historic traditional house near the site, scattering debris and damaging a Roman column. In response to these events, the Lebanese government has submitted formal documentation to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva outlining the reported violations of international humanitarian law regarding the nation's historical monuments.