By Dennis Otim

2^nd May 2011: The British government yesterday expelled the Libyan Ambassador to the United Kingdom and gave the diplomat 24hrs to leave British soil.  In a communiqué that Uganda Correspondent has seen, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Mr. William Hague condemned Libya’s attack on the British Ambassador’s residence in Tripoli.

“…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”, Mr. Hague said.

The Foreign Secretary added that, “…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”.

He also sent a strong message of defiance to Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi.  “…The attacks against diplomatic missions will not weaken our resolve to protect the civilian population in Libya”, Mr. Hague said.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.