WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday urged the Turkish government to continue to maintain the status of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul as a museum, pushing back on Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to restore the mosque status of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"We urge the government of Turkey to continue to maintain
the Hagia Sophia as a museum, as an exemplar of its commitment to respect the faith traditions and diverse history that contributed to
the Republic of Turkey, and to ensure it remains accessible to all," secretary of state
Mike Pompeo said in a statement.