Rebecca Dykes murder: British diplomat's body found in Beirut

The 30-year-old was found dead by the side of the Metn highway on Saturday

The Foreign office confirmed Ms Dykes' death and said they were providing support to her family (UK Foreign Office)

A diplomat working at the British embassy in Beirut has been found murdered, police say.

Her body was found dumped on the side of the Metn highway on Saturday.

Senior police sources in the Lebanese capital told the BBC she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

It is believed that the 30-year-old, who was working for the Department for International Development, was killed after meeting friends and colleagues at bar on Friday night.

She was last seen at a bar in the Gemmayzeh area of central Beirut and reportedly left alone shortly after midnight.

It is thought she was then abducted and killed before her body was dumped several miles away, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Ms Dykes' family issued a statement saying they were "devastated" by her death.

They said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what happened.

"We request that the media respect our privacy as we come together as a family at this very difficult time."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office confirmed Ms Dykes' death and said they were providing support to the family.

She said: "Following the death of a British woman in Beirut, we are providing support to the family. We remain in close contact with local authorities. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."

A Department for International Development spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Becky's family and friends at this very upsetting time.

"There is now a police investigation and the FCO (Foreign Office) is providing consular support to Becky's family and working with the local authorities."