Paris - The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today condemned the destruction of the archaeological site of Nimrud in Iraq, while urged to implement measures to stop what it called deliberate actions against the cultural heritage.

Nimrud city, founded over 3000 years ago, was in days gone by a capital of the pro-syrian empire, whose frescos, palacies, and monuments are famous in the entire world, in the literature, and in sacred books.

The Iraqi Government confirmed that the site was attacked with bulldozers by extremist groups on March 5.

"This is yet another attack against the Iraqi people, reminding us that nothing is safe from the cultural cleansing underway in the country," said UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

It targets human lives, minorities, and is marked by the systematic destruction of humanity´s ancient heritage, noted Bokova.

"We cannot remain silent. The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a war crime," recalled the director general.

Bokova called on all political and religious leaders in the region to stand up and remind everyone that there is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity´s cultural heritage.

She stressed that the world must respond to this criminal chaos that destroys culture with more culture, and said that she has reported this crime to the president of the Security Council as well as the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

The entire international community must join its efforts, in solidarity with the government and people of Iraq, to put an end to this catastrophe, emphasized Bokova.