Attackers set fire to Tunis mausoleum

On the outskirts of the Tunisian capital Tunis lies the Sayyeda Manoubia Mausoleum, a 500-year old shrine that pays tribute to a female Muslim saint.

The holy site was stormed by five men on Tuesday who ransacked the building and set it on fire.

Several women in the shrine at the time of the attack said they feared for their lives.

The mausoleum caretaker said the men demanded she hand over her telephone and jewellery and attacked the saint's coffin.

Khadouja Gassmi also witnessed the attack.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WITNESS, KHADOUJA GASSMI, SAYING:

"The caretaker screamed. She was terrified. The man put a sword to her throat. He said to her ''Be quiet or I will burn you." He was holding a gas canister in his hands. "If you scream I will burn you"… After that, they completely set fire to the place and went away."

Tunisia's Ministry of Culture and Heritage denounced the acts, describing them as sinful.

The mausoleum had been threatened by religious conservatives previously.