Lebanon marks 34 archaeological sites with blue shields for wartime protection

Lebanon has placed blue shields on 34 archaeological sites across the country to protect them during the ongoing war, Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh announced on Sunday.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Salameh said the measure aims to ensure compliance with the 1954 Hague Convention, which provides international protection for cultural property during armed conflict.

“The ministry did not stand idly by,” Salameh said, adding that he contacted UNESCO Director-General Khaled Anani from the first day of the war to stress the importance of adhering to the convention.

“Blue shields have been placed on archaeological sites so that the enemy will be aware of them and respect the convention,” he added.

Salameh explained that 34 sites have been granted enhanced protection since the 2014 war on Lebanon, with the blue shield symbol marking their protected status under international agreements. However, he noted that several important sites remain outside the current protection list.

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The minister said the Ministry of Culture had dispatched an adviser to UNESCO in an effort to convene an extraordinary meeting of the World Heritage Committee to secure enhanced protection for 30 additional heritage sites.

Salameh also warned that the war has already caused damage to several cultural institutions and heritage areas. He cited damage near the Al-Bass archaeological site in Tyre, as well as destruction affecting around 11 public libraries across Lebanon, including three that were completely destroyed and about ten partially damaged.

The ministry plans to launch programmes in cooperation with 12 public libraries beginning Monday to support displaced children who have been forced to stop attending school, with the aim of expanding the initiative to approximately 50 libraries affiliated with or recognised by the ministry.

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