UNESCO adds Israel caves to World Heritage listJune 24, 2014 - 10:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN cultural agency has designated a network of ancient, man-made caves outside of Jerusalem a World Heritage site, the Associated Press reports. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee added the caves of Beit Guvrin-Maresha — known as a "city under a city" — to the prestigious list of during its annual meeting in Qatar on Sunday, June 22. The 2,000-year-old caves are comprised of chambers and networks with various functions, and are situated below the ancient twin towns of Maresha and Beit Guvrin. Israel now boasts a total of eight World Heritage sites, including Masada, the Old City of Acre and the Bahai Holy Shrines in Haifa. Only countries that have signed the World Heritage convention, pledging to protect their natural and cultural heritage, can nominate a site, which must have an "outstanding universal value" to qualify. Photo: Wikipedia Related links: Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |