Cem: Demolition Of Ottoman-era Al-ajyad Fort Is A Cultural Genocide

ANKARA, Jan 10 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Thursday that demolition of Ottoman-era al-Ajyad fortress in Mecca was a cultural genocide.
Deputies asked questions about demolition of the historical fortress during a session at Parliamentary General Assembly in which international convention for prevention of financing terrorism was debated.
Cem said, ''Saudi administration's tearing down the historical al-Ajyad fortress in Mecca was nothing but a cultural genocide. I share reaction of our deputies against the demolition of the fortress to built a business and hotel complex.''
Noting that both the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant institutions had done their utmost to prevent the demotion of the fort, Cem added, ''unfortunately, we could not prevent it. Sometimes, your power cannot be influential in another country. However, we will continue to monitor all the developments. We will continue to react against any action targeting our historical assets. We will inform the world public opinion on this shameful action.''