Paris - Several world leaders expressed at UNESCO their rejection to violence and extremism in the Leaders Forum concluding today at the headquarters of the institution in this capital.

At the meeting, registered in the 38th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it was denounced the terrorism and it was expressed the leaders' determination to continue working to promote dialogue, education and safeguarding of cultural heritage in its diversity.

The general director of the international organization, Irina Bokova, said that extremists are afraid of history, cultural diversity and the freedom it represents.

Therefore were destroyed Palmyra, Mosul and Hatra. That is why journalists, members of religious communities and the human capacity to live are attacked, she said.

The Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said that "the ideology of terrorism cannot be fought with weapons" and added "it can only be defeated with better ideas, education and tolerant societies. We will only win this battle if we remain united against this global threat".

In this regard, the Head of State of Cameroon, Paul Biya, declared that the war against this phenomenon concerns every nation that has respect for humans and life among its main values. Each country has to make its contribution.

Libya's interim president, Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider spoke about the suffering of the people of his country caused by terrorists bands and stressed the importance that Libya gives to cultural diversity, the interreligious dialogue and the culture of peace.

According to the president of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskait, lasting peace, sustainable development and poverty eradication depend on access to education.

We must not allow terrorism to defeat peace, freedom and justice, stressed the president of Macedonia, who urged the Organization to "help restore global order and replace the monologue with dialogue, especially intercultural and interreligious".

The 38th General Conference of UNESCO, developed in the context of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the creation of that institution, concludes tomorrow.