UNESCO has approved a Palestinian bid to place the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its list of World Heritage sites.
UNESCO voted in favour of adding the church, which is considered the birthplace of Jesus, despite Israeli objections.
Thirteen of the 21 members of the agency's World Heritage Committee voted in favour at a meeting in St.Petersburg. The decision was met by a standing ovation. Six members voted against and two abstained.
The Palestinian government plans to register about 20 more sites with UNESCO.
