Libya ‘apologetic’ after British war graves desecrated says UK Minister

Speaking on the Sky News Murnaghan programme, Jeremy Browne said people would be understandably upset by images of damaged graves in yesterday’s papers, including the Mail on Sunday.

But 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 Colonel Gadaffi.

Mr Browne told the programme: “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.

“They have been extremely apologetic and made a very strong commitment they will get to the bottom of this happening. My understanding it is not just British graves or just Christian graves that have been desecrated, there is wider desecration taking place.”

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