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British diplomat Lord Elgin removed the
sculptures from the Acropolis in Athens in the early 19th
century when Greece was under Ottoman rule. They comprise
roughly half of the 160-metre-long frieze that was on the
Parthenon temple.
Since independence in 1832, Greece has repeatedly requested
their return, without success.
Tsipras, who was on his first official visit to London since he
was elected in 2015, said the issue is of particular ethical
importance for Greeks and he raised the matter when he met his
British counterpart Theresa May.
"The Marbles belong to the world cultural heritage but their
natural place is the Parthenon," he told reporters.
Britain has resisted campaigns for the return of what it calls
the Elgin Marbles along with treasures from other countries
including Nigeria and Ethiopia, often citing legislation that
bans its museums from permanently disposing of their
collections.
Greece has stepped up its campaign since 2009 when it opened a
new museum at the foot of the Acropolis hill, saying this
answered any suggestion that Athens lacks a suitable place to
preserve the marbles.
The museum hosts priceless relics from the Acropolis, including
the Caryatids, standing columns in female form. There is space
for one of the six missing figures, on display at the British
museum.
In 2014, a previous Greek government hired a legal team
including human rights lawyer Amal Clooney to advise it on its
bid to secure the return of the marbles.
"We know Britain's position but what has a particular value is
that this effort is continued," Tsipras said. "In due course,
we'll find increasingly more supporters of Greece's just
stance."
(Writing by Renee Maltezou; editing by David Stamp)
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