Mass grave of 157 bodies unearthed in Libyan town

Sun Mar 4th 2012

Libya says that it has unearthed a mass grave with 157 bodies of rebel fighters and civilians in an eastern town that was a major battleground during the country's 2011 civil war. It is the largest grave yet to be discovered from the conflict.

Head of the government-run missing persons office Omar al-Obeidi says that 80 of the bodies discovered in Bin Jawwad have so far been identified. He says they are all from eastern Libya and the youngest was a 17 year-old teenager.

Al-Obeidi says most appear to have died from gunshot wounds and rocket strikes. He says that excavation of the bodies began Friday and concluded Sunday.

The small town on Libya's main coastal highway was the scene of intense fighting throughout the war, trading hands several times.