Mali: Timbuktu mayor says rebels burned manuscript library
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 January 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Mali: Timbuktu mayor says rebels burned manuscript library, 28 January 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5122359e2b.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 28, 2013
Malian soldiers line up to embark on a French Army transport bound for Gao on January 27.
Timbuktu's mayor says Islamist rebels fleeing the Malian city have burned a library housing a collection of ancient manuscripts.
Mayor Ousmane Halle-Cisse said that the rebels burned the Ahmed Baba Institute four days ago.
He called it a "catastrophe" and said that "thousands" of ancient texts on culture, science, and geography housed in the South African-funded library were destroyed.
French troops announced on January 28 that they are now in control of Timbuktu's airport and main access roads into town.
Colonel Thierry Burkhard said Malian forces will move into the former stronghold of Al-Qaeda extremists and that the goal is to avoid combat in the UNESCO World Heritage city.
The advance on Timbuktu comes a day after French and African ground troops liberated the eastern city of Gao.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
