A library containing thousands of manuscripts dating from as early as the 13th century, has been set fire to by rebels in Mali leaving the city of Timbuktu.
Speaking from the capital today, the Mayor Halle Ousmanem, confirmed the incident stating:
“The rebels set fire to the newly constructed Ahmed Baba Institute ... this happened four days ago,”
The library was believed to have housed over 20,000 manuscripts, including some in underground vaults. The extent of damage is not yet known.
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