Iraq unveils restoration plan for heritage sites

The ruins of Ur

Iraq’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced a new plan detailing the restoration of up to 32 various archaeological sites across the country.

These "include the historical cities of Babylon, Ur, Warka, Hatra and Ashur, where rehabilitation work will include maintenance of heritage buildings and landmarks, and development of infrastructure and tourist and recreational services," according to Dhafer Sobhi Saleh, general director of the ministry's directorate for antiquities maintenance and conservation.

Work will be carried out by Iraqi, Italian, Czech, and Ukrainian companies.

Ahmed Kamel, general director of excavation at Iraq's General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage, said the plan is crucial toimproving the state of the country's historic and tourism sites and will bolster efforts to get them listed as world heritage sites.



For the original January 9, 2014 piece from Mawtani.com, a service of Al-Shorfa referenced in this summary, click here.