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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 12 June 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 June 2012. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 June 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Libya

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on the desecration of British Military Cemetery graves in Benghazi in Libya; and when the graves and cemetery will be restored or replaced.

[112221]

Answer

The British Government was appalled at the desecration of Commonwealth war graves. I raised the issue with the Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation. He gave assurances that the Libyan Government shared our views on the attacks and would continue to investigate these crimes. Our ambassador in Libya also raised our concerns with the Minister of Interior and the offices of National Transitional Council Chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib. Foreign Minister Khayyal and Chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has begun work to replace the damaged headstones and hopes to have completed this work this autumn. The Libyan authorities are in contact with the CWGC and have confirmed that they will fund these works.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
112221; 546 c909W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
War graves Libya
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk