President receives UNESCO’s director general

SANA’A, Dec. 23(Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received in Aden the director general of UNESCO Kushiro Matsura, along with the accompanying delegation, in his visit to Yemen. The discussions revolved around collaboration spheres between Yemen and the organization and means to boost them. Matsura pointed out to the great interest and distinct care Yemen has to pay for heritage areas, reservations, preserving architectural heritage. He showed admiration of the humanitarian heritage which he saw in Shibam, Shibam Hadhramout, Old City of Sana’a and Socotra Island, declaring that the UNESCO is seeking to list Yemen among natural protectorates in the International Heritage List. Moreover, he noted cooperation programs the organization implements in Yemen, specially in the fields of education, illiteracy eradication, oral heritage and folklore, praising Yemen’s efforts in combating terror. For his part, president Saleh spoke over good ongoing cooperation between Yemen and the UNESCO, highly valuing the support which the organization offers for Yemen. Saleh affirmed the role the UNESCO is playing in the cultural field, preserving humanitarian heritage, encouraging civilizations, culture and religions dialogue and fighting liberal and terror extremism, making it clear that extremism and terrorism are two international banes and not peculiar to a specific religion. He added that the Zionist Lobby is trying to link terrorism to Islam and deface the image of Muslims. Matsura granted president Saleh the Golden Medal of Quratage City in recognition to his efforts in supporting the activities of the organization in preservingthe humanitarian heritage and achieving the educational revival. AM/NS SABA