Tyre
Factors affecting the property in 1995*
- Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Need to establish an international safeguarding campaign
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1995
Total amount approved : 4,000 USD
| 1986 | Consultancy to evaluate damage to Tyre (Approved) | 4,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1995**
March 1995: UNESCO mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1995
UNESCO was informed of a land fill project in part of the bay adjacent to the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site, in order to build a tourist complex. A project of that kind would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological remains located near the old port and would be a major threat to the immediate vicinity of the listed site.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1995
The Bureau may wish to recommend to the Committee to adopt the following text:
"The World Heritage Committee noted with satisfaction the letter dated 20 November 1995 from Mr. Michel Edde, Minister of Culture and Higher Education, stating the commitment of the Lebanese Government for the preservation of the site of Tyr.The Committee expressed, however, grave concern to the Lebanese authorities with regard to the land fill project in a part of the bay alongside the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site of Tyr, for the construction of a tourist complex. This project would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological heritage of this area and would be a major threat to the adjacent World Heritage site.
It reminded the Lebanese authorities of Article 58 of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention stipulating that: 'The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, to inform the Committee, through the UNESCO Secretariat, of their intention to undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention, major restorations or new constructions which may affect the World Heritage value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that the Committee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure that the World Heritage value of the site is fully preserved.'
It therefore requested the national authorities to halt this project until technical advice may be provided by UNESCO [à la suite de la mission de deux experts envoyés sur place] and in the framework of the Campaign for the Safeguarding of Tyr, with regard to the impacts on the preservation of the World Heritage values of the site inscribed on the List."
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1995
19 COM VII.C.2.43/42
SOC: Tyr (Lebanon)
VII.43 Tyr (Lebanon)
The committee was informed of a land fill project in part of the bay adjacent to the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site, in order to build a tourist complex. If implemented, such a project would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological remains located near the old port and would be a major threat to the immediate vicinity of the listed site. UNESCO organized a mission of two experts to the site; however, the results of this mission had not been received at the beginning of December.
The Committee thanked Mr Michel Edde, Minister of Culture and Higher Education for his letter dated 20 November 1995, in which he reiterated the will of the Lebanese Government to preserve the site of Tyr and its cultural and natural environment.
It took note of the information of an earlier UNESCO mission which visited Beirut from 27 November to 2 December 1995 and welcomed the decisions taken by the Lebanese authorities to postpone this land fill project which would have destroyed the underwater archaeological remains of this area, and would have been a major threat to the immediate environment of the World Heritage site.
Furthermore, the Committee requested that the results of the mission of the two experts to Tyr be communicated by UNESCO.
Finally, the Committee requested the Lebanese authorities to provide all information concerning the protection of the archaeological site of Tyr, for which an International Safeguarding campaign has also been launched.
The Bureau recommends the Committee to examine the information contained in the working document and the oral report provided by the Secretariat/advisory body. The Bureau recommends the Committee to adopt the following:
"The World Heritage Committee noted with satisfaction the letter dated 20 November 1995 from Mr. Michel Edde, Minister of Culture and Higher Education, stating the commitment of the Lebanese Government for the preservation of the site of Tyr.The Committee expressed, however, grave concern to the Lebanese authorities with regard to the land fill project in a part of the bay alongside the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site of Tyr, for the construction of a tourist complex. This project would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological heritage of this area and would be a major threat to the adjacent World Heritage site.
It reminded the Lebanese authorities of Article 58 of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention stipulating that: 'The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, to inform the Committee, through the UNESCO Secretariat, of their intention to undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention, major restorations or new constructions which may affect the World Heritage value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that the Committee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure that the World Heritage value of the site is fully preserved.'
"It therefore requested the national authorities to halt this project until technical advice be provided by UNESCO following the expert mission which was undertaken in December 1995, as well as in the framework of the Campaign for the Safeguarding of Tyr, with regard to the impacts on the preservation of the World Heritage values of the site inscribed on the List."
Lebanon
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
