"The Marsh Arabs in Iraq were encouraged to revolt and then left to their fate when Saddam Hussein butchered them, " he said.

BBC: Hague: UK is 'at forefront' of action against Gaddafi

"The near-total destruction of the Iraqi marshlands under the regime of Saddam Hussein was a major ecological and human disaster, robbing the Marsh Arabs of a centuries-old culture and way of life as well as food in the form of fish and that most crucial of natural resources, drinking water, " according to Klaus Toepfer, the agency's executive director, whose comments are included in the report.

CNN: U.N.: Iraq's marshlands recovering

But Conservative MP David Tredinnick urged the government not to abandon Libyan rebels to their fate, drawing a parallel with Iraqi Marsh Arabs who rose up against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein following the 1991 Gulf War.

BBC: Hague: UK is 'at forefront' of action against Gaddafi