Paris, March 27 (QNA) - The Arab World Institute (AWI) announced Friday the establishment of an emergency fund to protect Lebanese heritage during times of war, with the support and partnership of the French Development Agency (AFD).

In a statement, the AWI explained that, given the current environment in which Lebanese heritage is facing severe threats due to the ongoing regional conflict, it has taken the initiative with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) and the AFD to unify efforts as an expression of solidarity with the Lebanese people and authorities.

This initiative involves establishing an international fund dedicated to the emergency protection of monuments, archaeological sites, museums, and their collections in the country.

The statement noted that this initiative coincides with the opening of the exhibition "Byblos: An Ancient Lebanese City Through the Ages," which was inaugurated two days ago in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Culture.

The exhibition also features the exceptional participation of the Louvre Museum and includes 400 unique artifacts that highlight the epic story of this city, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Through this initiative, it also affirmed its and the participating organizations' commitment to protecting heritage as a fundamental element of peoples' collective memory and to rebuilding societies in times of crisis.

It is worth noting that the Arab World Institute (AWI) was founded in 1980 in Paris and is considered the most important institution for Arab and Islamic culture in France and Europe.

It strives to develop the study of the Arab world in France, deepen understanding of its civilization and culture, encourage cultural exchange, and revitalize communication and cooperation between France and the Arab world. (QNA)