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Canada embassy in Libya shuts down

26 February 2011 22:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Canada has suspended its diplomatic relations with Libya by shutting down its embassy in Tripoli, amid violent crackdowns on anti-Gaddafi protesters in the country, APA reports quoting Press TV.

The Canadian embassy staff fled Libya to Malta on Saturday by a C-17 military aircraft, which carries a total of 46 passengers. The plane will return to Libya for further evacuation.

"Based on the recommendations of our ambassador in Tripoli, and in close and constant collaboration with the actions of our international partners, the government has decided to suspend its diplomatic presence in Libya," Montreal Gazette quoted Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s director of communications Dimitri Soudas as saying.

On Thursday February 24, Canada managed to evacuate nearly 200 of its citizens from Libya through a charter flight from Rome. There are now fewer than 100 Canadians in Libya hoping to leave.

Canada claims that it has the power and willingness to implement sanctions against Libya with or without the collaboration of other nations.

EU member states have already reached an agreement to consider sanctions against Libya unless Dictator Gaddafi would stop the massacre of Libyans. The United Nations Security Council will meet later on Saturday, to further discuss the sanctions.