By Yusuf Ozcan</p> <p>PARIS (AA) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said he has instructed authorities to rebuild the world-famous French cathedral, Notre Dame, in the next five years.</p> <p>Notre Dame was severely damaged by a major fire on Monday before being extinguished with eight-and-a-half hours' efforts of roughly 500 French firemen.</p> <p>Macron, in his address to the nation, said the burning of the symbolic cathedral was shocking both for French people and the world.</p> <p>"The fire at Notre Dame reminds us that our history never ends and there will always be challenges we need to overcome," he said. </p> <p>"We are going to build the cathedral of Notre Dame more beautiful than ever. But this must be done within five years," he added.</p> <p>The inferno engulfed the popular landmark, destroying the iconic spire and the roof, and causing heavy damage to the interior of the structure.</p> <p>Firefighters were able to put out the blaze and prevent the whole structure from being destroyed. French authorities have ruled out arson and any terror-related motives as the cause of the fire.</p> <p>So far, about €688 million ($766 million) has been donated to rebuild the cathedral.
*Writing Ali Murat Alhas
