Libyans’ ‘shameful’ insult to British dead

Jeremy Browne said people would be understandably upset by the images of damaged graves which were published yesterday.

He said the attacks were not aimed particularly at Britain or Christians, and did not represent a Libyan response to last year’s military action when British aircraft took part in a campaign which toppled Muammar Gaddafi from his role as dictator in the North African country.

Mr Browne said: “My grandfather’s generation were truly heroic in that part of Africa in the Second World War, and I think people will be shocked by what they see.

“It is worth saying the Libyan authorities themselves are shocked, too. We have had direct dealings with them.

“They have been extremely apologetic and made a very strong commitment they will get to the bottom of this happening. They will try and do everything they can to resolve it.

“My understanding it is not just British graves or just Christian graves that have been desecrated, there is wider desecration taking place.”

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.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed graves at both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery and the Benghazi Military Cemetery were damaged.

“In response to these incidents, foreign minister Khayyal and [National Transitional Council] chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks, and the transitional government has published a statement on its official website, describing the damage as ‘unethical, irresponsible and criminal’, and making clear that the Libyan government ‘severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators according to Libyan law’,” the spokesman said.

Reports yesterday said the attacks on graves took place over two days last week.

A video was recorded by one of the men involved and has been 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.”

A Commonwealth War Graves Commission spokesman said the graves would be restored “to a standard befitting the sacrifice of those commemorated at Benghazi”.

He added: “This could take some time because we will need to source replacement stones.”