Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "deeply moved" after visiting Srebrenica to pay her respects to the thousands of men and boys killed in the 1995 genocide.

The First Minister laid a wreath at the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial cemetery and met the Mothers of Srebrenica Association.

She posted online: "Deeply moved to visit the memorial to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide at Potocari. We must work to learn the lessons."

Read more: Nicola Sturgeon to visit scene of Srebrenica massacre

The First Minister and former moderator of the General Assembly, Very Rev Dr Lorna Hood, also met survivors and relatives of some the victims.

More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia - Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.

Ms Sturgeon promised to visit Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina after attending an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Edinburgh in July last year.

She said: "More than 8,000 men and boys had their lives taken from them, and it is vital that what happened in Srebrenica, in one of Europe's darkest chapters, is never forgotten."

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She added: "Although our two countries are separated by geography, I have been struck by the warmth with which many people in Bosnia and Herzegovina speak of Scotland.

"Scotland has long-standing links with Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing support and assistance to those in need during the conflict of the 1990s.

"I am keen to learn how we can use the memory of what happened at Srebrenica to help tackle intolerance and hatred wherever it occurs in the world."

She also visited the Potocari Memorial Centre, and the Christine Witcutt Day Care Centre, which provides care to children with special needs.

Ms Sturgeon met the chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic, and the foreign minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak, as well as religious leaders, to hear about their efforts to overcome the legacy of war.

During the Balkan conflict Edinburgh Direct Aid sent many convoys delivering supplies and medicines to the area.

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Christine Witcutt, who was killed in Sarajevo, was a volunteer with the charity.

In the aftermath of the conflict Scottish scientists have worked in Srebrenica helping to identify the remains in mass graves and later gave evidence at The Hague during the prosecution of war crimes.

Scots have also played a key role in the International Commission on Missing Persons formerly based in Bosnia.

Dr Hood, who chairs the charity Remembering Srebrenica (Scotland), said: "Remembering Srebrenica (Scotland) is delighted that the First Minister has been determined to keep that promise and to support the aims of the charity to fight and challenge hatred wherever it occurs but especially in our own communities.

"The terrorist events of the last few months and years around the world should make us even more aware that hatred and discrimination, if left unchallenged and unchecked, can lead to terrible evil even amongst those who have previously been neighbours and friends."