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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 March 2012.

Libya

Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they did not publicly condemn the desecration of Benghazi War Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Graves Benghazi British Military Cemetery which occurred on 24 and 26 February respectively until 4 March, given that the first attack had been reported in the British press on 25 February.
Answer

The Government condemn the desecration of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery and the Benghazi Military Cemetery. Officials from our embassy immediately visited the sites on 25 February and raised this issue with the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Benghazi Chief of Police, making clear our outrage, the need to provide security to the sites and conduct thorough investigations into the attacks. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made clear our concern to the Libyan Foreign Minister in New York on 12 March. Our Ambassador also raised our concerns with the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Minister of Interior and the offices of National Transitional Council Chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib. In response to these incidents, Foreign Minister Khayyal and Chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks, and the Transitional Government published a statement on 28 February, 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 Libyan authorities have instructed the police to make regular patrols and station police outside the cemeteries to ensure no further attacks occur. We will continue to reiterate to the Libyan authorities the importance of a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) recently raised this again with the Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation. He gave further assurances that the Libyan Government shared our views on the attacks and would continue to investigate these crimes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16174; 736 c175WA
Session
2010-12
Related items
Libya
Monday, 23 April 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Damage War graves Libya
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk