World to Celebrate Arabic Language in Paris on Dec.18

An aerial view shows the Eiffel tower, the Seine River and the Paris skyline, France, July 14, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
An aerial view shows the Eiffel tower, the Seine River and the Paris skyline, France, July 14, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
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World to Celebrate Arabic Language in Paris on Dec.18

An aerial view shows the Eiffel tower, the Seine River and the Paris skyline, France, July 14, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
An aerial view shows the Eiffel tower, the Seine River and the Paris skyline, France, July 14, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo

The celebration of The World Arabic Language Day will kick off in the French capital, Paris on Monday under the theme: "Arabic: The Language of Poetry and Arts".

It is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization through the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Program for the Arabic Language at UNESCO in cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom.

The celebration will kick off with opening speeches featuring Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO Gabriela Ramos, Saudi ambassador to France and the Principality of Monaco, Permanent Delegate of Saudi Arabia to UNESCO Fahad bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, and Director General of Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Charitable Foundation Saleh Al-Khulaifi.

The event is accompanied by the "Building Bridges of Understanding and Respect" exhibition organized by the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Program for the Arabic Language at UNESCO on December 18-22.



Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)

A specialized United Nations agency granted on Monday provisional enhanced protection to 34 cultural properties in Lebanon, including the World Heritage sites of Baalbek and Tyre, following recent Israeli strikes near them.

“Non-compliance with these clauses would constitute serious violations of the 1954 Hague Convention and would constitute potential grounds for prosecution,” the UN cultural and scientific agency UNESCO said in a statement. The decision also includes financial and technical assistance to safeguard Lebanon’s heritage.

The decision was made during an extraordinary session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property that was held in Paris on Monday, at the request of Lebanese authorities.

This move comes amid mounting threats to Lebanon’s cultural sites. On Nov. 7, an Israeli airstrike destroyed an Ottoman-era building near the UNESCO-listed Roman temples of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said: “UNESCO has a deep and long-standing cooperation with Lebanon. We will spare no effort to provide all the expertise and assistance needed to protect its exceptional heritage.”

In addition to legal protections, UNESCO said it has been implementing measures such as satellite monitoring, risk management training and emergency relocation of movable artifacts.