PARIS, Muharram 27, 1437, November 09, 2015, SPA -- UNESCO voted not to extend membership to the Republic of Kosovo during a meeting at the cultural organization's general conference in Paris on Monday, UPI reported. The bid to join the United Nations' educational, scientific and cultural agency gathered 92 votes, with 50 opposing votes and 29 abstentions. Three more votes of approval would have given Kosovo the required two-thirds majority. Although Kosovo's sovereignty is recognized by 111 nations, as well by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the International Olympic Committee, it is not a member of the UN and is regarded by Russia, Serbia and the UN as a breakaway territory of Serbia. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Serbia, backed by Russia, still regards it as Serbian territory, the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. At issue are Serbian allegations that Kosovo has failed to protect Serbian cultural and religious sites on its land, including four on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites -- the Gracanica and Decani monasteries, the patriarchal complex in Pec/Peje, and the Church of the Virgin of Ljevisa. Kosovo assured UNESCO it would protect Serbian cultural sites if it became a member. Russia considers Kosovo's self-proclaimed status a violation of international law, Serbian ambassador to Russia, Slavenko Terzic, on Monday said, "The fact that the membership of Kosovo and Metohija is being discussed today in Paris is proof of a deep crisis in international law, a crisis of today's world." --SPA 22:14 LOCAL TIME 19:14 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w