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, Foreign Minister John Baird said.

"These people now have five business days to vacate the embassy and leave the country," Baird said in a statement, explaining the steps were taken to further isolate the regime of Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi.

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.

Baird, on his first trip as foreign minister in June, met with Libyan rebel leaders during an unannounced visit to Benghazi.

He had commented in a conference call with Canadian journalists that the National Transitional Council (NTC) represented "the best hope for the future of Libya."

Canada had already recognized Libya's NTC before Baird's visit, which came as Nato allies marked the 100th day of their bombing campaign in the country.

Western nations have sought to ramp up the pressure on the Kadhafi regime.

The United States tightened its sanctions against Libya-controlled banks in June, and on Tuesday the European Union slapped further sanctions on the regime, targeting two "economic entities" linked to Kadhafi.

Earlier, the NTC officially took over the Libyan embassy in London, opening its doors as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people in Britain.

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