The Screws Tighten

Canada expels Libyan diplomats

"Canada on Tuesday ordered Libya's diplomats to leave the country within five days and cut off their access to the embassy's bank accounts, in a bid to further isolate the regime of Moamer Kadhafi.

"These people now have five business days to vacate the embassy and leave the country," Foreign Minister Baird said in a statement.

A spokesman for Baird said four diplomats at the embassy had been declared "personae non gratae."

Canada is one of the lead nations in a NATO-led alliance that has conducted an aerial bombing campaign against the Kadhafi regime since March, when the United Nations approved action to protect civilians.

Ottawa has contributed six F-18 fighter planes and a frigate, and the NATO mission is led by a Canadian."

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"The NTC [Ed: Libyan National Transitional Council] on Tuesday officially took over the Libyan embassy in London, opening its doors as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people in Britain."