Press Release

Sunday 1st May

FCO Press Release

Libyan Ambassador to the UK expelled

Speaking today, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

STARTS

“I condemn the attacks on the British Embassy premises in Tripoli as well as the diplomatic
missions of other countries.

“The Vienna Convention requires the Qadhafi 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.

“The attacks against diplomatic missions will not weaken our resolve to protect the civilian
population in Libya.”

ENDS