The stone bridge known as Stari Most -- or Old Bridge -- survived centuries of conflict, including two world wars, before shells shattered it in 1993. Built under the Ottoman Empire, it gave Mostar its name and its destruction became a symbol of the senseless brutality of war. It was rebuilt, and many of the surrounding buildings were restored with the help of a scientific committee set up by UNESCO.

Members of Bosnia's three-person presidency as well as UNESCO representatives were present at the ceremony.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is responsible for implementing the 1972 U.N. Convention on the protection of cultural and natural sites around the world. The addition of the Mostar bridge brings the total number of protected sites to 812. They include 628 cultural, 160 natural and 24 mixed sites in 137 countries.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 24, 2005
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