PARIS (AP) — UNESCO has named two World Heritage sites in Mali — the fabled city of Timbuktu and the tomb of Askia — as in danger due to armed conflict by competing rebel groups who have taken over the north.
The 21 nations of the World Heritage Committee, meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, voted Thursday to accept the government of Mali's request to place the sites on the "in danger" list, aimed at informing nations of a threat and encouraging action.
The committee urged the African Union and international community to help protect the sites. It says in a statement it also asked Mali's neighbors to help prevent trafficking in cultural objects.
