Demonstrators supporting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, foreground, square off across the street from people who oppose him outside the Libyan Embassy in Ottawa
OTTAWA, Canada - The Canadian government says it is expelling five diplomats working at the Libyan embassy in Ottawa. Meanwhile, Canada has suspended the operation of its embassy in Tripoli but has not severed diplomatic relations with Libya during the NATO mission there.Foreign Affairs says the five expelled Libyan diplomats and their families must arrange to leave the country immediately.
The Canadian military is currently operating in Libya alongside other NATO forces to enforce a no-fly zone. The United Nations-mandated mission is aimed at protecting civilians from Moammar Gadhafi's forces.- Canada's role in the mission is scheduled to end on June 16, but the Conservative government has said it is committed to gaining parliamentary approval for an extension.
- Two groups of protesters one supporting Gadhafi, and the other calling for his removal from power recently clashed near the Libyan embassy in Ottawa.
- The Five Libyan diplomats working in Ottawa have one week to get out of the country amid fears they were trying to intimidate Libyan citizens in Canada.
- The officials have been declared persona non grata, a news release distributed Tuesday evening by the Department of Foreign Affairs says.
Ambassador Abdulrahman Abututa(left photo) is not one of the diplomats being expelled. Abututa presented his credentials to Gov. Gen. David Johnston last October.A government source confirmed there were fears embassy officials were trying to intimidate those opposed to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
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