A historic Buddhist site in Afghanistan appears likely to be spared demolition to make way for a copper mine after the Thai Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday saying the Afghan government “would do whatever possible” to conserve the site and preserve artefacts obtained from it.

Citing confirmation by officials at the Thai Embassy in Islamabad, which recently held talks with the Afghan ambassador there, the ministry said Kabul also offered to welcome a Thai delegation to Mes Aynak, located in Logar province 40km southeast of Kabul, to inspect measures to conserve the site. The group was also invited to see other Buddhist sites, with their safety fully guaranteed.

Read more: The Nation