Niger’s military council on Thursday ordered the police to expel French ambassador from the capital Niamey.
This comes following the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the West African country, a move rejected by Paris as unacceptable.
Niger’s foreign ministry affirmed in a statement that the decision to expel the ambassador would not be pushed back and his diplomatic immunity would be waived.
The statement added that the visas for the ambassador and his family had been cancelled, affirming that the police had been instructed to set the decision in action.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the French general staff warned that French forces would respond to any escalation that would curb the French military and diplomatic influence in the West African nation.
Source: Qatar News Agency