Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List Dr. Ahmad Issa Faraj Assistant Professor in the Management of Libyan Antiquities and Heritage Faculty of Tourism and Antiquities Sousa University Omar Al-Mokhtar On July 14, 2106, during the World Heritage Committee meetings held in Istanbul, Turkey, Libyans received the news of placing five World Heritage sites in Libya on the List of World Heritage in Danger. First, we have to ask what are Libya's five World Heritage sites? 1. Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna Leptis Magna is the oldest Phoenician settlement in Libya that was founded at "Wadi Lebda" and believed to date to 514 1. The city of Leptis Magna became one of the most important Roman cities of the ancient world. The whole world acknowledged its importance when it was declared a World Heritage Site during the sixth session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Paris from 13 th to 17 th of December, 1982. The meeting was attended by the late Dr. Abdallah Shiboub, the Chairman of the Libyan Antiquities Department, and Mr. Abdelkader Al-Atrash, Former Ambassador of Libya to UNESCO. 2 1 Naji Mansour, Libyans in the Army of Carthage, the Supreme Culture Council, Cairo, 2010, p 42, 43; Abdelatif Mahmoud Barghouti, The Ancient History of Libya, publications of the Libyan University, 1971, p 305; D.E.L. Haynes, Antiquities of Tripolitania, Glen Freebairn, UK,1981, p 25 2 UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Sixth Session, Paris, 13 17 December 1982, P18 http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom82.htm#183 1 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Leptis Magna was included in the World Heritage Sites after it met the following criteria: Criterion 1 (i): "To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;" Criterion 2 (ii): "To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design"; Criterion 3 (iii): "To bear a unique, or at least exceptional, testimony to a cultural tradition, or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared." 3 2. Archaeological Site of "Sabratha" "Sabratha" is one among the three Phoenicians cities in Libya 4. It was founded by Phoenician traders coming from the city of "Tyre" or "Sidon," but the exact date of its foundation is unknown. The city of "Sabratha" is among the most beautiful and important archaeological sites in Libya. It is marked by its Phoenician and Roman antiquities. Among its most famous landmarks are: the famous Phoenician tomb, Roman Amphitheater, and stadium. The Archaeological site of Sabratha was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1982 3 UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008, P17 4 The Three Phoenician Cities in Libya (Tripolis): Leptis Magna, Oea, and Sabratha, see: Ahmed Mohamed Andicha, Political and Economic History of the Three Cities, al-dar al- Jamahiriya For Publishing, 1993, p 15. 2 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

at the same session (sixth session) which included the site of Leptis Magna. The document inscribing the archaeological site of "Sabratha" shows that the site fulfilled the criterion number 3 (iii). Criterion 3 (iii): "To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared." 5 3. Archaeological Site of Cyrene "Cyrene" or (Korana) was the first Greek settlement in Libya that is believed to be founded in 631 BC, capital of the district "Cyrenaica". It was founded by immigrants from an island called "Thera". Herodotus tells 6 the story of the founding of the city, which was a great mixture of myth and historical events. The core archaeological site could be divided into three main areas: Southern Hill which includes Agora, Forum, and Acropolis, which are all connected through the road Battos Stoa of Hermes and Herakles. North-Eastern Hill area, which includes the Great Temple of Zeus and the Hippodrome. The Northwest region, which is the Valley area that separates both hills and includes the oldest buildings like the Temple of "Artemis" and the Temple of "Apollo". It is the Sanctuary of Apollo with its temples and Greek gate (Greek Propylaeum), Roman gate (Roman Propylaeum), Byzantine and Trajan baths, and the Greek theater. 5 UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008, P17 6 Herodotus, IV (Fourth Book, Scythian Book, and Libyan Book), translated by Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, University of Garyounis, Benghazi. 3 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Through these prominent landmarks, antiquities and rich history, the archaeological site Cyrene had the honor to join the World Heritage sites list during the sixth session of the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Paris from 13 th to 17 th of December, 1982. 7 Cyrene was inscribed on the World Heritage Sites List for fulfilling the following criteria: Criterion number 2 (ii): "To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;" Criterion number 3 (iii): "To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;" Criterion number 6 (vi): "To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)". 8 7 UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Sixth Session, Paris, 13 17 December 1982, p 18 http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/190.pdf 8 UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008, p 17. 4 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

4. Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus The rocky massif that is viewed from "Ghat" and "Tanizouf" is called "Acacus" as well as the vector toward the West, including the sharp slope close by "Sardelis" "Ghat". 9 The name "Tadrart" in the "Tamahaq" dialect means the opposite of "Tassili" which means a large boulder 10. The area of "Tadrart Acacus" contains a unique assortment of rock arts (drawings and engravings) that show the nature of the area that is now dry but was water abundant as illustrated by paintings of plants and animals. The climate changes led to drought in this area, thus to almost no life anymore. Sand contributed to obliterating the landmarks of the rainy era. However, time was not able to hide the great history of this civilization as the wonderful excavated or painted arts remained a witness to this day. Through these arts, we can learn something about the life, habits, and nature of the people who lived there. 11 The site of rock arts "Tadrart Acacus" was declared a World Heritage Site in the ninth session 12 of the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Paris in the period from 2 nd to 6 th of December, 1985. The site fulfilled the criteria number 3 (iii) which is: 9 Fabricio Mori, Tadrart Acacus, Prehistoric Rock Art and Cultures of Desert, translation: Omar Baroni and Fouad Alkabazi, Libyan Jihad Center, 1988, p 29. 10 Ibid., p 29. 11 Fabrizio Mori, "Prehistoric Saharan Art and Cultures in The Light of Discoveries in The ACACUS MASSIF (Libyan Sahara)", Libya in History, Historical Conference, 16-23 March, 1968, p 40 12 UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Ninth Ordinary Session, Paris, 2 6 December 1985, p 23 http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/287.pdf 5 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Criterion 3 (iii): "To exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology monumental arts town-planning or landscape design." 13 5. Old City of Ghadames The city of Ghadames is located 600 Kilometers south of the capital, Tripoli. The city is not far from the borders with Algeria and Tunisia. 14 Perhaps the oldest mention of this city was by the Latin historian Pliny the Elder when he talked about Libya's geography and identified its locations towards the direction of Sabratha 15. It was also mentioned by the historian "Procopius of Caesarea" when he talked about Tripoli "...here there is also a city called "Kidami" in which the Moors, who were pacifists with Romans..." 16 The city reached fame in the Islamic era and was mentioned by many Arabic sources. 17 The city, which represents a prominent Libyan model for desert mud buildings, extends over an area of approximately 7.5 hectares. It is characterized by its covered streets and alleyways except for openings for light, ventilation, and houses that are marked by their interior design. This architecture and style was dictated by the environment and living 13 UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008, p 17. 14 Abdulgader Abufayed, Amer Rghei, and Abubaker A. Abdulgader Abufayed, Amer Rghei, and Abubaker A. Aboufayed, Adobe Cities of Libya: Unique World Heritage Architecture at Risk, Terra 2008: "The 10th International Conference on the Study and Conservation of Earthen Architectural Heritage", The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 2008, p38 15 Bashir Qasem Youchaa, City of Ghadames Through the Ages, the National Center for Archives and Historical Studies, Libya, 2011, page 15 16 Ibid., p 16. 17 Ibid., p 16. 6 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

conditions in the desert, and it certainly was the outcome of many experimentations 18. ICOMOS document describes the city that is composed of seven semi-autonomous neighborhoods which could entirely be isolated by an internal and external gate. For each neighborhood there is a main street that contains public buildings and squares. 19 The city was inscribed on the World Heritage list during the tenth session of the World Heritage Committee held in the headquarters of UNESCO from 24 th to 28 th November, 1986. As the report shows 20, the city met the fifth criterion of the World Heritage criteria which is: Criterion number 5 (v): To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 21 The other important question to raise in this field is: What does the World Heritage in Danger List mean? The List of World Heritages on the Danger List is designed to inform the international community of conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to encourage corrective action. 18 Ibid., p. 73. 19 COMOS, Old Town of Ghadames April 26, 1985. http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/362.pdf 20 UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Tenth Session, Paris, 24 28 November 1986, p 29. http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom86.htm#362 21 UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008, P17 7 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Fifty-five sites and properties are placed on the list of World Heritage in Danger. 22 According to article 11, paragraph 4 of the World Heritage Convention, inscribing on the list is required under the following conditions: 1) The site is registered on the World Heritage List. 2) The site is facing imminent dangers. 3) The site needs major work and efforts to save it. 23 In reality, there are criteria based on which the World Heritage Committee is placing a given site on the danger list (for cultural heritage). These criteria are divided into two types, as follows: First: Ascertained Danger represented in: 1) Serious deterioration of its materials; 2) Serious deterioration of structure or ornamental features; 3) Serious deterioration of architectural or town-planning coherence; 4) Serious deterioration of urban or rural space, or the natural environment; 5) Significant loss of historical authenticity. Second: Potential Danger represented in: 1) Modification of juridical status of the property with regards to its protection; 2) Lack of conservation policy; 3) Threatening effects of regional planning projects; 4) Threatening effects of town planning; 5) Outbreak or threat of armed conflict; 6) Threatening impacts of climatic, geological or other environmental factors. 22 http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/ 23 The guidelines of the World Heritage Convention, the World Heritage Center, p 62 http://whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines 8 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

The Libyan Five Sites Inscribed on the World Heritage in Danger List On July 14, 2016, Libyan five World Heritage Sites were declared as endangered and were placed (all at once) on the list of the World Heritage in Danger. In the absence of any information about the Libyan official participation in the decision making-process, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee placed the five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger. According to the text of the announcement published on the official website of UNESCO, this measure was taken due to "security instability in Libya and the presence of armed groups on these sites or in their direct surrounding." 24 In fact, these reasons do not apply to all five sites. The reality shows that there are different reasons for each site. For instance, the World Heritage Committee expressed its concern about the increase of illegal immigration waves and presence of large numbers of people close to rock art sites 25 such as: Tadrart Acacus". We are fully aware that a series of reasons were behind placing the archaeological site of Cyrene on this list. These reasons can be summarized as follows: Urban sprawl. Management systems / or the management plan for the site. Sanitation in "Wadi bil Ghadir". Animals within the site, waste and rubbish. Theft and looting. These reasons could also apply to the archaeological site of Leptis Magna. It is important to point out to the report issued by the World Heritage Committee stating that Libya did not submit the required report based on the recommendations of the 24 http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1523/ 25 Ahmad Issa Faraj Abdelkarim, Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger list, Libya the Future, 16 July, 2016 9 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Committee during its meeting held in Bonn in Germany in 2015. We could not confirm the Libyan participation (official) in these meetings, especially knowing that the specialized Libyan authorities do not give sufficient attention to such meetings. In fact, no Libyan representative attended the meetings held in Bonn in 2015. Besides, the Libyan delegation had a dull presence in the meeting held in Doha in 2014, as the Libyan delegation arrived at the headquarters of the meetings after the end of deliberations on Libya's World Heritage. Placing the Libyan five World Heritage Sites all at once on the list of endangered sites is a serious sign that Libyan authorities are unable to protect and manage the Libyan heritage. It is noteworthy to mention that since 2004, the World Heritage Committee has repeatedly requested sufficient information on the maintenance status of sites from Libyan authorities. However, the latter's negligence throughout the years led to these serious results. Eventually we have to think: How do we solve this issue? How do we remove the Libyan five archaeological sites from this list? This issue should receive high level of attention through taking the following steps: 1- Acknowledging the inability of official Libyan authorities to manage the Libyan World Heritage. Since 1982 - when the first Libyan site was inscribed on the World Heritage list - Libyan authorities have not been able to manage this field and keep up with the grave developments during recent years. 2- Forming scientific and art committees composed of Libyan experts who have competence and knowledge in these fields to work on preparing complete files on each of the five World Heritage Sites. 10 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

3- This is a national matter that is of concern to all Libyans and not exclusive to anybody. Hence, it has to be addressed with transparency and clarity. 4- The government and House of Representatives (HoR) should be notified about these developments (along with providing adequate explanations of what it means to inscribe five Libyan sites on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger). It is important to have an official position towards such a matter. 5- Local authorities (in which the World Heritage Sites are situated) should be notified and briefed on all developments as well as be involved in the planned work to be conducted to ensure their cooperation. 6- Notifying Libyan universities about these developments and requesting their cooperation in this field. 7- Holding meetings between Libyan archaeologists to develop strategies and work plans based on full transparency. 8- Appointing an assistant to the Delegation of Libya to UNESCO who is specialized in antiquities and heritage affairs to ensure an effective cooperation with the World Heritage Committee, and to build friendly relations with nation representatives in the Committee. 26 26 Ahmad Issa Faraj Abdelkarim, A proposal to Assign an Expert in the Libyan Antiquities and Heritage in UNESCO, Libya-Al-Mostakbal, 14 August, 2016. 11 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

List of References 1- Naji Mansour Al-Harbi, Libyans in the Army of Carthage, the Supreme Council of Culture, Cairo, 201 2- Abdelatif Mahmoud Al-Barghouthi, Ancient Libyan History, The Libyan University Publications, 1971. 3- Herodotus, IV (Fourth Book, Scythian Book, and Libyan Book), translated by Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, University of Garyounis, Benghazi. 4- Ahmed Mohamed Andisha, Political and Economic History of the Three Cities, Al-Dar For Publishing, 1993. 5- Fabricio Mori, Tadrart Acacus, Prehistoric Rock Art and Cultures of Desert, translation: Omar Baroni and Fouad Alkabazi, Libyan Jihad Center, 1988, p 29. 6- Bashir Qasem Youshaa, The City of Ghadames Through the Ages, the National Center for Archives and Historical Studies, Libya, 2011, page 15 7- The guidelines of the World Heritage Convention, the World Heritage Center, p 62 http://whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines 8- Ahmad Issa Faraj Abdelkarim, Five Libyan World Heritage Sites in the List of Danger, Libya Al-Mostakbul, 16 July, 2016 9- Ahmad Issa Faraj Abdelkarim, Five Libyan World Heritage Sites in the List of Danger, Libya Al-Mostakbul, 16 July, 2016 10- D. E. L. Haynes, Antiquities of Tripolitania, Glen Freebairn, UK, 1981 11- UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Sixth Session, Paris, 13 17 December 1982, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom82.htm#183 12- UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008 13- UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008. 12 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

14- UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Sixth Session, Paris, 13 17 December 1982, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/190.pdf 15- UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008 16- Abdulgader Abufayed, Amer Rghei, and Abubaker A. Abdulgader Abufayed, Amer Rghei, and Abubaker A. Aboufayed, Adobe Cities of Libya: Unique World Heritage Architecture at Risk, Terra 2008: "The 10th International Conference on the Study and Conservation of Earthen Architectural Heritage", The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 2008 17- ICOMOS, Old Town of Ghadames, April 26, 1985, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/362.pdf 18- UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, Tenth Session, Paris, 24 28 November 1986, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom86.htm#362 19- UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 2008. http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/ 20- http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1523 13 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

Recent Publications 1. Priorities of National Reconciliation Government. 2. The Draft of Political Agreement: Review of the Content. 3. 2014 Audit Bureau Report and Rationalization of Public Spending. 4. A Framework for the Comprehensive Transitions (Translated to Arabic). 5. Social Impacts of the Political Division in Libya. 6. The Political and Security Scene in Libya an Analytical and Forward-Looking Vision. 7. The Economic Impacts of Political Division in Libya. 8. Is it Possible to Bring Peace to Libya? 9. Policies of Commodities Subsidy in Libya. 10. Libya 2015 Report: Year in Review. 11. Government Performance Evaluation in Libya for Year 2015. 12. War on ISIS in Libya through the Accord. 13. The Libyan Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA): Path, Outcomes and Reviews. 14. Consociational Democracies, Political Stability and External Intervention. 15. The Health Sector in Libya: Situation and Challenges. 16. Financial Corruption in the Libyan Economy. 17. The Situation of Higher Education in Libya. 18. Public Education in Libya: Problems, Challenges and Solutions. 19. The Impact of Geography and Demography on the Conflict and the Solution in Libya. 20. The Role of the Social Groups and Religion in the Conflict over Power in Libya. 21. Performance Evaluation of the Ministry of Interior in Libya. 22. War against ISIS. Till When? Assessment Report. 23. The Paths of War in Benghazi. Assessment Report. 24. The International Community and its Compliance with the Skhirat Agreement. Assessment Report. 14 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

25. Eight Months after Signing the Political Agreement. Assessment Report. 26. Tripoli and the Oil Crescent; Two Possible Pathways to War in Libya. Assessment Report. 27. Consequences of Voting No Confidence on Government of National Accord. Assessment Report. 28. The Role of the State in the Economic Activity in Libya. 29. The Libya Case. Monthly report, August 2016. 30. The Libyan Political Dialogue (Skhirat). Obstacles or Closed Roads? Assessment Report. 31. The Shifts of the Conflict in the Oil Crescent. Assessment Report. 32. The Libyan Oil Sector during Year 2016. 33. Repercussions of the Declarations of the State Council and the Mufti. Assessment Report. 34. Challenges Facing the Spatial Development in Libya. 35. The Libya Case. Monthly report, September 2016. 36. The Russian Role in Libya. A Context of a New Cold War. Assessment Report. 37. Social Justice in Libya since 2011. 38. The State of War in Libya What is it? And How to Dismantle it? 39. The Possibility of an Armed Clash in Tripoli after the Return of the Salvation Government. Assessment Report. 40. New Possible Scenarios for the War in the Oil Crescent. Assessment Report. 41. The Possibilities of the Libyan War: Monopoly - War - Division Negotiation. 42. The Absence of the State Movement in Libya. 43. The Libya Case. Monthly report, October 2016. 44. A Vision for the Management of Antiquities and Heritage in Libya. 45. The Good Governance of the Libyan Investments and Funds Abroad. 46. A Proposed Framework to Ending the Conflict in Libya. 47. Analysis of the Libyan Administrative Control Authority (ACA) Report of the Year 2015. 15 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List

About LOOPS The Libyan Organization Of Policies & Strategies (LOOPS) is an independent, nonprofit and nongovernmental institution founded in December 2014 in Tripoli, Libya. A representative branch was founded in Istanbul in January 2015. The organization carries out research and studies related to emerging policy and strategy issues with the aim of generating effective and successful policies and providing support to decision-makers. The organization devotes its efforts to improving the performance of Libyan institutions and advancing the economic and social welfare of the Libyan people. It seeks to spread the notions and concepts of quality, good governance, strategic planning and a culture of excellence so as to improve the performance of Libyan institutions. LOOPS aspires to promote and spread knowledge about public policies and strategies to the state through the dissemination of statistics, studies and periodic reports. It also organizes conferences, workshops and forums as platforms for discussion, the exchange of opinions and spreading knowledge. Tripoli Office Alnofliyin, Tripoli, Libya Tel: 00218 21 340 01 43 Istanbul Office Istanbul Vizyon Park Yenibosna Merkez MAH.29 Bahçelievler- Postal Code 34197 Ofis Plaz.A3 BLK K: 3/D28 Phone: 0090 212 603 25 92 Fax: 0090 212 603 27 48 Istanbul, Turkey 16 Five Libyan World Heritage Sites on the Danger List