Greek PM enlists Australia in Elgin Marbles fight

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday asked Australia to pressure Britain to hand over the Elgin Marbles after Canberra successfully lobbied for the return from London of ancient aboriginal remains.

The Elgin Marbles, known in Greece as the Parthenon Marbles, are a series of friezes and sculptures removed from the Acropolis above Athens by British diplomat Lord Elgin some 200 years ago and are now housed in the British Museum. Britain has refused to return the marbles, claiming they are best preserved in London where they are a major attraction. (Reuters)