UNESCO said the decision came after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on February 26 condemning flagrant human rights violations in Libya during fighting between anti-regime rebels and forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi.
"Given the tragic evolution of events in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya -- the serious human rights violations as well as the incitement of hostilities and the violence coming from the highest level of the Libyan government against the civilian people -- I have decided to suspend all activity and cooperation with the Libyan authorities," UNESCO director general Irina Bokova said.
UNESCO "will resume cooperation with Libya once the Libyan people`s rights are fully respected," the statement added.
Libya is home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including major archaeological remains at Leptis Magna, Cyrene and Sabratha, AFP reported.
(SYS/S008/A011)
Editor: Suryanto
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