BEIJING, May 29 -- The United Nations General Assembly has condemned the recent destruction of antiquities in Iraq by the Islamic State militants.

It follows a newly adopted resolution on the threat to cultural heritage in the region which came just days after ISIL militants captured the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra.

ISIL has deliberately destroyed a number of relics in Iraq, filming and distributing its acts of destruction.

The UN resolution was co-sponsored by Germany and Iraq. It calls on UN member states to prevent the trafficking of looted cultural objects - which ISIL is using to raise funds.

The head of UNESCO Irina Bokova says the resolution is "a turning point".

"The adoption of the resolution, saving the cultural heritage of Iraq, is a turning point in the mobilisation of the international community against the destruction of cultural heritage, the looting of antiquities and the persecution of minorities, which leads to destroying the cultural diversity of Iraq. This marks a turning point in the fight against cultural cleansing in Iraq," she said.