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"This is the world's heritage, and we must cooperate to guarantee that this treasure is preserved,"
Mr Mandefro said.
The US State Department called on Tigrayan forces to respect the cultural heritage of Lalibela,
as Washington becomes increasingly concerned over the the conflict.
The spreading fighting follows significant territorial gains made by the rebel Tigray People's
Liberation Front (TPLF) in June, including capturing the Tigray regional capital Mekelle after
Ethiopian troops withdrew and the government declared a unilateral ceasefire.
The TPLF was the regional government of Tigray until it was ousted by federal forces last
November.
It has been designated a terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian government.
However, the rebels say they are the legitimate regional government of Tigray.
Earlier this week a rebel general told the BBC that the group aimed to force the federal
government to lift a blockade in the region and agree to a political solution to the crisis.
The government denies there is a blockade and has ruled out talks.
However the TPLF's push into Amhara and Afar has drawn international criticism, and both the
UN and the US this week called for all parties to stop fighting.
The Ethiopian government says more than 300,000 people have been displaced in Amhara and
Afar.
Separately the UN said 175 lorries carrying humanitarian aid had arrived in Tigray.
But the head of the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) warned that more than 100 lorries were
needed every day to reach the millions who were in need.
Aid workers have struggled to get access to much of Tigray due to insecurity and bureaucratic
hurdles.