Paris, October 6 {No.2000-98} - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has expressed grave concern over the continuing clashes in Jerusalem, which is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and elsewhere in the region.

The Director-General declared: "The Old City of Jerusalem, a holy place for several religions and a treasure of all of humanity, is once again going through dark times. A crossroad of cultures, it is today a theatre of violence which is leading to the senseless loss of human lives."

Mr Matsuura added: "Jerusalem is a treasure we must protect. But the human lives wasted today also represent a treasure. I call on both parties to let the spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding prevail."