British aid workers 'raped' in Libya

A number of British women travelling with an aid convoy are believed to have been raped in Libya.

Pro-government militiamen are suspected of attacking three of the activists in the eastern city of Benghazi, the country's deputy prime minister Awsad al-Barassi said.

The women were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday and later released.Mr al-Barassi told a Libyan television channel he had met the women and they were in "very bad shape".

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident in Libya involving a number of British nationals who were part of an aid convoy."We are providing consular assistance."