The FINANCAIL -- The EU said Wednesday it was deeply concerned about the "wanton and ruthless" destruction of cultural treasures in Mali's fabled city of Timbuktu by hardline Islamist militants who control the area.

As EUbusiness reported, at least seven ancient tombs of Muslim saints and a sacred door to a 15th century mosque have been destroyed by Islamists who rampaged through Timbuktu, shortly after UNESCO added the city to its list of endangered world heritage sites.

"This appears to be a deliberate attempt to destroy a valued and ancient part of the religious and cultural heritage not only of Mali's people but of the whole world," a statement from the office of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.

"These sacred places of prayer, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, must be protected now and for posterity," she said, describing the destruction as "wanton and ruthless".

Ashton condemned "all such acts of destruction" and reaffirmed "the EU's commitment to support the Malian people in the re-establishment of legitimate and accountable government throughout the country."

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