Libya's cultural heritage under threat – in pictures

  • Libya's antiquities and artefacts, some dating back more than 1,000 years, are being vandalised, neglected and smuggled. All photos: Reuters
    Libya's antiquities and artefacts, some dating back more than 1,000 years, are being vandalised, neglected and smuggled. All photos: Reuters
  • The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, now known as Shahat, are plastered with graffiti and littered with trash.
    The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, now known as Shahat, are plastered with graffiti and littered with trash.
  • Any hope to turn the Unesco World Heritage site into a tourist destination is now in peril.
    Any hope to turn the Unesco World Heritage site into a tourist destination is now in peril.
  • The lack of support from the government is said to be the root cause of the problem.
    The lack of support from the government is said to be the root cause of the problem.
  • There is no sufficient budget for guards, and no repercussions for random excavations or theft.
    There is no sufficient budget for guards, and no repercussions for random excavations or theft.
  • Tourists in the area are a rare sight.
    Tourists in the area are a rare sight.
  • A view shows graffiti on the ancient ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Cyrene.
    A view shows graffiti on the ancient ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Cyrene.
  • The ancient ruins are under threat due to neglect and vandalism.
    The ancient ruins are under threat due to neglect and vandalism.