Nude statues pulled out of Qatar exhibit

Athens: Greece has pulled two ancient statues of nude males from an Olympic exhibition in Doha after Qatari authorities insisted on veiling them.

A Culture Ministry official says exhibition organisers wanted to avoid scandalising female visitors.

Greek Deputy Culture Minister Costas Tzavaras, who visited the country last month for the exhibition opening, objected, saying the works should be displayed as they were or shipped home.

So the statues were returned to Athens last week, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Qatari officials could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday night.