“The United Nations has formed a rapid reaction force to step in wherever art treasures are threatened by war or natural disaster.

The ‘cultural blue berets’, as they are being called, will initially be comprised of Italians and could include members of Italy’s paramilitary police, the carabinieri.

The move follows international outrage over the looting of priceless antiquities during the US-led coalition’s invasion of Iraq last year.” (age.com.au)