WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated last week the Holy City of Samarra in Iraq as an endangered world cultural treasure.

In inscribing the archaeological remains in Samarra on the World Heritage List, UNESCO did not mention the Iraq war, but said the site was listed as "in danger."

Last week, Iraq signed a multi-million-dollar deal with UNESCO to rebuild the holy shrine of Hazret Imam Ali Al-Hadi (AS) and Hazret Imam Al-Hasan Al-Askari (AS) in Samarra. The shrine was all but destroyed by two attacks, most recently on June 13.

In 2006, the first bombing destroyed the shrine's golden dome. The follow-up attack earlier this month destroyed the shrine's two gold-covered holy minarets.

The Samarra shrine was added to the United Nations' heritage group's register of places that hold global cultural significance. There are 830 sites on the list already.