Italy said Saturday that UNESCO has approved its suggestion to have the United Nation's famous Blue Helmets protect heritage sites around the world from attacks by Islamist militants, AFP reports.
"UNESCO has said yes to the Cultural Blue Helmets," Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said in a statement, adding that 53 countries voted in favour after the destruction of sites including Palmyra in Syria by the "Islamic State" (ISIS) terrorist group.
"Faced with ISIS terrorist attacks and the terrible images of Palmyra, the international community cannot stand back and watch," he said, adding that the permanent members of the security council had supported the idea.