Taxi driver arrested on suspicion of killing British diplomat in Lebanon

Rebecca Dykes' body was found dead on Saturday near a motorway in the capital. 

The 30-year-old's family said they have been left "devastated" following her death in Beirut, while embassy staff are said to be shocked.

Authorities looking into her exact cause of death are investigating whether Ms Dykes, who had been due to fly home for Christmas, was sexually assaulted.

Today it emerged a taxi driver has been arrested on suspicion of killing her.

A family spokesman 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."

Ms Dykes was working as a programme and policy manager with the Department for International Development and as policy manager with the Libya team at the Foreign Office (FCO), according to her LinkedIn page.

She had previously worked as an Iraq Research Analyst with the FCO.

British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter said: "The whole embassy is deeply shocked, saddened by this news.

"My thoughts are with Becky's family, friends and colleagues for their tragic loss. We're providing consular support to her family & working very closely with Lebanese authorities who are conducting police investigation."

Ms Dykes, a University of Manchester graduate, also had a masters in International Security and Global Governance from Birkbeck, University of London.

She was a former pupil of Malvern Girls' College and Rugby School and had spent time at a Chinese International School.