Mali rebels fleeing Timbuktu

artappraiser — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:13:30 +0000

In reply to French, Malian troops hunt fleeing rebels in Timbuktu

Mali rebels fleeing Timbuktu burn library full of ancient manuscripts

Town's mayor says Islamist insurgents torched two buildings containing priceless books as French-led troops approached

By Luke Harding in Sévaré, guardian.co.uk, 28 Jan. 2013 06.40 EST

Islamist insurgents retreating from the ancient Saharan city of Timbuktu have set fire to a library containing thousands of priceless ancient manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th century, in what the town's mayor described as a "devastating blow" to world heritage.

Halle Ousmani Ciffe told the Guardian that al-Qaida-allied fighters on Saturday torched two buildings where the manuscripts were being kept. They also burned down the town hall and governor's office, and shot dead a man who was celebrating the arrival of the French military.

French troops and the Malian army reached the gates of Timbuktu on Saturday and secured the town's airport. But they appear to have got there too late to save the leather-bound manuscripts, which were a unique record of sub-Saharan Africa's medieval history.

"It's true. They have burned them," Ciffe said, in a phone interview from Mali's capital, Bamako. "They also burned down several buildings. There was one guy who was celebrating in the street and they shot him."

He added: "This is terrible news. The manuscripts were a part not only of Mali's heritage but the world's heritage. By destroying them they threaten the world. We have to kill all of the rebels in the north." [.....]

dagblog - Comments for "French, Malian troops hunt fleeing rebels in Timbuktu"

Mali rebels fleeing Timbuktu