Beirut: A British diplomat has been found strangled by the side of the road east of the Lebanese capital Beirut, Lebanese officials say.

Authorities are investigating whether she was also sexually assaulted.

Rebecca Dykes, a British staffer at the British embassy in Lebanon, was found strangled by the side of the road on Saturday Credit:UNCREDITED

Britain's Foreign Office in London confirmed the death of the diplomat, named by British media and her friends as Rebecca Dykes.

It said it was providing support to the family and declined to provide further details. A spokesperson at the embassy in Beirut also confirmed the death but didn't name the diplomat.