Mali's cultural treasures in disarray as rebels retreat

The leader of the Timbuktu Manuscripts Project in Cape Town has said retreating Islamist rebels have destroyed countless cultural treasures, leaving behind a trail of 'disarray'.

Dr Shamil Jeppie from the University of Cape Town said the manuscript libraries, which are home to thousands of invaluable Arabic manuscripts, have been attacked and some collections torched.

French and Malian troops are securing Timbuktu after seizing it on Monday.