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France breaks off diplomatic relations with Libya

26 February 2011 21:58 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. France on Saturday broke off its diplomatic relations with the government of embattled Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, the Foreign Ministry said, APA reports quoting monstersandcritics.com website.
Embassy personnel in the Libyan capital Tripoli have been evacuated, it said.
The United States had on Friday announced sanctions against Libya and the shuttering of its embassy in Tripoli, but did not break off all diplomatic relations.
Earlier on Saturday, the French Finance Ministry department responsible for money laundering had said that all bank accounts belonging to Gaddafi and members of his inner circle were placed under surveillance.
All financial institutions have been asked to report any suspicious accounts, the Tracfin department said.
France has repeatedly called for sanctions against Libya’s leaders after a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests in the country.
The European Union is expected to make a formal decision on sanctions next week.