Syrian-Lebanese Cooperation to Restore Stolen Antiquities to Syria

DAMASCUS, (ST) – The General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums (GDAM) and the Lebanese Antiquities Establishment have agreed to officially restore stolen Syrian archeological pieces which were recently seized in Lebanon to Syria.

Ma’moun Abdul Karim, the GDAM’s Director said in a statement to SANA on Saturday that the Lebanese authorities have foiled an attempt by thieves to sell stolen Syrian archeological pieces, including 11 half statues from the Roman age stolen from Palmyra graves, Roman age glass works and Islamic sculpts in addition to other valuable pieces .

Thieves were arrested by the Lebanese security forces on Thursday, according to SANA.

Abdul Karim pointed out that these pieces were put for sale by the thieves in an area near Beirut.  

A British “Sunday Times” reporter had impersonated a trader of antiquities and got information about the existence of these stolen Syrian pieces of antiquities in Lebanon. She informed the Interpol,  which in turn supplied the GDAM with some data about and photos of the antiquities. As a result, the GDAM asked the Lebanese authorities to seize these pieces.

Abdul Karim pointed out that by arresting members of the thieves network, the archeological pieces have become at the disposal of the Lebanese authorities. A group of Lebanese archeological experts have examined the pieces and assured the GDAM that they are the same pieces which were stolen from Syria.

Abdul Karim thanked the Lebanese concerned bodies for their efforts to combat illicit trafficking of Syrian antiquities and to help Syria restore its archeological heritage.

H. Mustafa