UN fears for revered Christian and tourist site in Ethiopia that goes back 900 years
CNN
UNESCO is worried the ancient rock-hewn churches of Lalibela could be in peril due to the latest fighting in Ethiopia. Find out the history of this site revered by Christians and loved by tourists.
(CNN) — They're one greatest cultural and religious treasures not only in Ethiopia but also in Africa and in Christendom: the ancient rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. And now a United Nations agency is worried they could be in peril after reports that fighters from Ethiopia's Tigray region have seized control of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In a statement released Friday, UNESCO called for "the respect of all relevant obligations under international law in ensuring the protection of ... this precious site by refraining from any act that may expose it to damage, and by taking all necessary precautions to prevent any attempts of looting and pillaging cultural properties located in the area."More Related News