British war graves desecrated in Libya 05.03.12

Описание: Libyan authorities have vowed to find those responsible for damaging 200 gravestones at a British Military cemetery in Benghazi.

Headstones were smashed and crucifixes deliberately torn down - where servicemen who served in North Africa 70 years ago - lay buried.

The Transitional Government has described the damage as unethical, irresponsible and criminal.

More than 1,200 Commonwealth soldiers and airmen are buried in the eastern city of Benghazi. Of the 1,051 identified graves, 851 are British.

Many were members of the 7th Armoured Division, known as the Desert Rats, which played a key role in fighting for control of Libya and Egypt between 1941 and 1943.

The attacks on the graves are believed to have taken place over two days last week. A video was recorded by one of the men involved and posted online.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of state in Libya's caretaker government, said the Libyan government "severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators."

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission says the graves will be restored "to a standard befitting the sacrifice of those commemorated at Benghazi".