UNESCO, Interpol, world museums warn of extremist threats to Libyan cultural treasures

PARIS – Leading world museums and the U.N. cultural agency are releasing a list of Greek and Roman antiquities and prehistoric artwork under threat from Islamic State extremists in lawless Libya.

The International Council of Museums on Tuesday detailed cultural treasures “in peril,” and appealed to Interpol, customs officers and art traders to watch out for looted Libyan goods.

Islamic State extremists have destroyed temples and ancient sites in Iraq and Syria, and experts believe they are also selling plundered antiquities on the black market.

IS has also made inroads across Libya, which is split between rival governments.

Among threatened artwork are: sculptures and mausoleum carvings in Cyrene, a one-time Greek colony; the Roman-era trading centre of Sabratha; and a desert region home to stone paintings or carvings dating back 12,000 years.