DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with Aga Khan Network for Cultural Services (AKCS), on Tuesday launched two projects to revive the cultural and urban heritage in Syria.

The first project includes improving Ugarit site and establishing a development, cultural and social center in the region, in addition to studying means of maintaining the archeological ruins in the site.

The second project aims at setting up the framework of cooperation between the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums and the Network to implement the first stage of improving the Old City of Damascus and accomplish the historical study and the urban analysis of the City.

Director General of Antiquities and Museums Bassam Jamous stressed Syria's archeological importance as it was classified among the World's richest countries in terms of the number of archeological sites since it embraces more than 10000 archeological sites, seven of which are included in the World Heritage List.

In turn, AKCS Executive Director Ali Ismael reviewed the Network's activities in Syria since 1991 which included the rehabilitation of Aleppo, Misyaf and Salah Eddin Castles and other archeological sites in the Syrian provinces.

R. Raslan/ Mazen