Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has expressed outrage at the recent attack on war graves in two British cemeteries in Benghazi.
200 graves of British and Commonwealth nationals, most of who died in World War 2, were damaged in attacks by unknown individuals.
"It's horrific and wrong and we have expressed to the Libyan authorities our profound distress at what has happened on behalf of those who have loved ones there," Mr Burt told the BBC.
"The Libyan authorities have responded in kind. They are horrified by what has happened.
"These are not actions carried out by the government of Libya, this is an extremist mob that has done this and we all share the same revulsion for it."
The BBC reports that the attacks stopped after a group of elders intervened and prevented further damage.
The Libyan authorities have released a statement denouncing the ‘shameful act’:
"Some people attacked the graves of non-Muslims in Benghazi, including the graves of some of the nationals of friendly countries, including the states of Britain and Italy."
It adds that it "severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators according to Libyan law".
Related links:
Military HQ in LTTE graveyard - BBC Sandeshaya - 07 March 2011