A total of 601 heritage buildings were damaged due to the explosions that rocked Beirut on Aug. 4, of which 70 may fall if not quickly restored, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.
"We will spare no efforts to try and secure funds for the restoration and preservation of buildings as they reflect Beirut's traditional architecture," Lebanon's Agriculture and Culture Minister Abbas Mourtada said Wednesday.
He called upon real estate merchants not to buy these buildings to abolish them and build new and modern buildings, urging people to preserve the history of the city and its civilization.
Most of the buildings in Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael, which are traditional buildings, were partially or totally destroyed.
News circulated about owners of these buildings attempting to sell them to developers who want to construct modern units in their locations.
Two huge explosions rocked Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, shaking buildings all over Lebanon's capital, while killing 171 people and wounding 6000 at least.
