UN Peacekeepers in Western Sahara deface ancient rock paintings

UN peacekeepers in the disputed African territory of Western Sahara have vandalised ancient rock paintings, a UN official has said.

Pictures of the paintings, some 6,000 years old, show them defaced with spray paint.


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Julian Harston, the UN official responsible for Western Sahara, said he had been shocked by the vandalism.

He said funds would now be sought from the UN cultural organisation, Unesco, to remove the graffiti.