Libyan rebels force black Africans to eat flags in cage

A video that puportedly showing black Africans being forced to eat the former Libyan flag inside a cage by Libyan rebels has surfaced on the internet.

The video which was uploaded to the internet last week and has gained more prominence appearing on news websites shows around a dozen men are sat on the ground with their hands tied and small green flags in their mouths.

A voice can be heard shouting in Arabic, “eat your flag, you dog. Patience you dog, patience. God is great.” A number of people are shown standing outside the cage watching the torment unfold.

After Muammar Gaddafi was killed, hundreds of migrant workers from neighboring states were imprisoned by fighters allied to the new interim authorities.

They accuse the black Africans of having been mercenaries for the late ruler.

Thousands of sub-Saharan Africans have been rounded up since Gaddafi fell in August.

It is believed the attacks were carried out by members of a Salafist militia, who were also shown kicking over graves in the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.

The transitional Libyan government has apologised for the desecrations and promised to pursue those responsible.