LEBANON – On 1 April 2026, UNESCO reinforced the protection of cultural heritage in Lebanon at the country’s request.

The organization held an extraordinary meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which resulted in granting 39 cultural sites temporary enhanced protection and providing international emergency financial assistance exceeding USD 100,000.

Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Assistant Director-General for Culture a.i., emphasized that cultural heritage is the backbone of people’s identity, trust, and hope, carrying the promise of peace and recovery.

He added that the destruction of heritage undermines moral standards, weakens social cohesion, and jeopardizes trust and societal resilience.

The protected sites benefit from the highest legal level of protection against attack or military use, and any violation of these rules constitutes a serious breach of the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Second Protocol, potentially leading to criminal responsibility.

Support measures include strengthening the legal protection of the sites, improving risk management and damage anticipation, providing additional training for cultural and military personnel, and sending a strong message to the international community about the urgent need to protect these sites.

This initiative complements UNESCO’s ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Directorate General of Antiquities to secure the storage of archaeological collections and museums.

The organization also uses satellites through UNITAR/UNOSAT to monitor the condition of heritage sites and assess damage. So far, damage has been confirmed in the city of Tyre, listed as a World Heritage Site since 1984, as well as in other sites in neighboring countries.

UNESCO confirms its readiness to provide further expertise and assistance and reminds all parties of their obligations to protect cultural and natural heritage, even in times of conflict.