Libya: bishop laments desecration of cemetery

(June 08, 2011) In Libya, the apostolic vicar of Tripoli has condemned the desecration of an Italian cemetery by Libyans angered by NATO airstrikes. Libya was an Italian colony from 1912 to 1947. “We must make it clear that the cemetery should be respected as a sacred place,” said Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, who called the desecration an act of evident anger. Tension is very strong, and people are angry, ”he said . On Friday (June 3,) unknown assailants attacked the Italian cemetery in Tripoli, causing extensive damage without being able to penetrate into the rooms containing the bones of the dead. On the walls, there were writings against NATO and the allied bombings in progress on Libya, as well as insulting and threatening messages.