Libya's archaeological sites under threat - in pictures

Antiquities and artefacts are being vandalised, neglected and smuggled

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  Libya's antiquities and artefacts, some dating back more than 1,000 years, are being vandalised, neglected and smuggled. All photos: Reuters

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  The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, now known as Shahat, are plastered with graffiti and littered with trash.

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  Any hope to turn the Unesco World Heritage site into a tourist destination is now in peril.

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  The lack of support from the government is said to be the root cause of the problem.

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  There is no sufficient budget for guards, and no repercussions for random excavations or theft.

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  Tourists in the area are a rare sight.

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  A view shows graffiti on the ancient ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Cyrene.

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  The ancient ruins are under threat due to neglect and vandalism.

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