TEHRAN - Fars Province Governor General Ansari Lari announced that a Persepolis Research and Cultural Foundation is to be established soon to restore and preserve this invaluable historical monument.

The decision to set up the foundation was made considering "the importance of the Persepolis as the first Iranian historical monument listed in the International Book of the Cultural Heritage Organization (CHO) and its worldwide fame," he said.

The governor general said a number of meetings attended by cultural experts had been held to discuss this item of the province's agenda.

A sketch on the proposed foundation was also presented to the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the head of the Cultural Heritage Organization (CHO), PMS and President Khatami who all approved the outline and called for a follow up of the plan's implementation, Lari said.

"The plan can also serve as a model in dealing with other historical monuments," he said, adding that a distinct comprehensive plan is also being considered to settle matters related to the preservation of a set of Achaemenid buildings in Fars, which include the Passargad and Naghsh-e Rostam.

Persepolis, located in Fars Province, is the icon of Iran's national heritage.