BEIRUT: A British diplomat has been found dead at the side of a road near the Lebanese capital.

She had been strangled, sources told the BBC.

Friends of the deceased woman and media have confirmed her as Rebecca Dykes, a British embassy staffer working with the Department for International Development.

The death of the British woman was confirmed in a statement released by Britain's Foreign Office with the government department saying that it was providing support to the family.

In a statement to Arab News, the Department for International Development said:

“Our thoughts are with Becky's family and friends at this very upsetting time. There is now a police investigation and the FCO is providing consular support to Becky’s family and working with the local authorities.”

According to the BBC, Ms Dykes had been working in Beirut as the programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development since January 2017.

Her family said in a statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what happened.”