Italy said on Saturday that UNESCO had approved its suggestion to have the United Nations' peacekeepers protect heritage sites around the world from attacks by Islamist militants.

"UNESCO has said yes to the Cultural Blue Helmets," Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said in a statement, referring to the distinctive headgear of UN peacekeepers. He added that 53 countries voted in favor of the idea after the destruction by Islamic State of sites including Palmyra in Syria.

"Faced with IS terrorist attacks and the terrible images of Palmyra, the international community cannot stand back and watch," he said, adding that the permanent members of the security council had supported the idea.