20110501
reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has decided to expel the Libyan ambassador after its embassy in Tripoli was attacked, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday.

"The Vienna Convention requires the Gaddafi regime to protect diplomatic missions in Tripoli. By failing to do so that regime has once again breached its international responsibilities and obligations," he said in a statement, referring to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

"As a result, I have taken the decision to expel the Libyan ambassador," he said, adding that the official now had 24 hours to leave Britain.

"I condemn the attacks on the British Embassy premises in Tripoli as well as the diplomatic missions of other countries," Hague said.