Lincoln Memorial vandalised, temporarily shut

The Lincoln Memorial, an iconic landmark in the US capital, was vandalised today, forcing authorities to shut down the popular tourist attraction until it was cleaned up.

The Lincoln Memorial was vandalised and will remain closed until it is cleaned up, US Park Police Capt. Steven Booker said.

Police were alerted to the scene just before 1:30 a.m. and found green paint splattered on the leg and base of the statue of America's 16th president, he said. There were no discernible letters or markings.

Park Police will review the security camera video for evidence, Booker said.

Abraham Lincoln, president from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, led the northern states to victory against the South in the American Civil War.

Police said no words or symbols had been painted or written on the memorial, only splatters of green paint.

The neo-classical memorial to Lincoln who emancipated the slaves was designed by Henry Bacon and modelled after an ancient Greek temple. The 19-foot tall statue depicts Lincoln sitting in a throne-like chair.

Inscribed in the walls around the statue are excerpts of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's second inaugural address.

The memorial, which opened to the public in 1922 and draws millions of visitors each year, has been the site of major moments in US history.

The monument, situated on the National Mall near the US Capitol building and the White House, is in the open air and is normally accessible 24 hours a day.

The cleaning is expected to be completed later today, the authorities said.