"Libraries, archives and manuscripts must be preserved as essential parts of the rich heritage of Iraq," the director general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said in a statement.

"Libraries are the essence of knowledge societies. Nearly 20 centuries of written history of mankind are in danger; everything must be done to protect them from looting and destruction," Matsuura added.

He also called for governmental records to be secured, saying the archives would be "vital for the functioning of public administration after the war... to protect the legal, financial and contractual rights of Iraqi citizens."

On Friday, a mob looted the National Museum -- the largest in Iraq -- amid a breakdown in civil authority following the collapse of President Saddam Hussein's regime two days earlier. Damage was also reported in other museums.

The country's national library, home to a number of rare volumes and the national archives, was ransacked and went up in flames on Sunday.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that the United States would take a "leading role" in protecting Iraqi antiquities and help restore damage to artifacts and the national museum.

Some 30 leading experts will meet at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Thursday to attempt to take stock of the damage done to the countrys cultural heritage and recommend ways to guard against further destruction.

SPACE.WIRE