Ahmed Baba library in Timbuktu torched by Islamists in pictures

A worker stands over examples of ancient Islamic manuscripts at Ahmed Baba library in Timbuktu, Mali Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

Around 20,000 ancient Islamic manuscripts are preserved in the air-conditioned rooms of the library Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

Detailed view of the annotations made by scholars on an old manuscript, within the span of several centuries Photograph: Xavier ROSSI/Getty Images

Manuscript dating back to the 15th century, and partly damaged by termites Photograph: Xavier Rossi/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The Ahmed Baba centre holds the library of the Manuscripts of the Desert Photograph: Sebastien Cailleux/Corbis

Morrocan style biography manuscript of Muhammad Photograph: Jordi Cami/Cover/Getty Images

The head of the library, Dr Mohamed Gallah Dicko (right), with Dr Stephanie Diakite (centre) and Djibril Doucoure, the keeper of the library (left), discuss which manuscripts need to be restored in 2003 Photograph: Xavier Rossi/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Rediscovery and restoration of ancient Arab manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba Institute. Dr Stephanie Diakte in the manuscript restoration room in 2003 Photograph: Xavier Rossi/Getty Images

A book is scanned and digitised in the manuscript restoration room Photograph: Xavier Rossi/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The entrance to the Ahmed Baba Islamic Studies Library in Timbuktu Photograph: Alamy

The Islamic centre and a mosque in Timbuktu. In 2012 al-Qaida-linked Islamists in northern Mali attacked and destroyed shrines in the city Photograph: Habib Kouyate/AFP/Getty Images