UNESCO: Yemen and Lebanon sites in danger

SANA'A-The United Nations has inscribed an ancient city and its dam in Yemen and a futurist park in Lebanon on the World Heritage List. The United Nations cultural agency (Unesco) has listed both as World Heritage Sites in Danger, the former due to the Saudi conflict in Yemen, and the latter due to "its alarming state of conservation" and lack of resources in Lebanon.

Seven archaeological sites have been added in the Yemeni province of Marib to record the conquests of the kingdom of Sheba from the first millennium BC. until the arrival of Islam around 630, Unesco said. The kingdom, known for the legendary Queen of Sheba, controlled much of the frankincense route through the Arabian Peninsula at the time.

The new sites listed include the ancient city of Marib, two temples and the remains of the ancient city dam, a feat of ancient hydrological engineering whose failure is mentioned in the Quran. The United Nations body said it hoped the decision would help "mobilize the entire international community for the protection of the sites". (ilfarosulmondo)