London, May 1 (IANS) Libya’s ambassador to Britain has been expelled after the British embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli was attacked by a mob, Foreign Secretary William Hague said.
Hague said Omar Jelban has been given 24 hours to leave the country, Sky News reported.
Diplomatic missions of a number of NATO states have been targeted after an airstrike reportedly killed Muammar Gaddafi’s youngest son and three of his grandchildren.
‘I condemn the attacks on the British embassy premises in Tripoli as well as the diplomatic missions of other countries,’ Hague said.
‘The Vienna Convention requires the Gaddafi regime to protect diplomatic missions in Tripoli. By failing to do so that regime has once again breached its international responsibilities and obligations.’
‘I take the failure to protect such premises very seriously indeed.
‘As a result, I have taken the decision to expel the Libyan ambassador. He is persona non grata pursuant to Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and has 24 hours to leave the country.’
Hague added that the attacks against diplomatic missions will not weaken the country’s resolve to protect civilians in Libya.
