Mali’s military-led government has expelled France’s ambassador, Joel Meyer after “hostile and outrageous” comments by former colonial power France about its transitional government.
Mali gave the French ambassador 72 hours notice on Monday to leave the country.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had said on Friday that Mali’s military government was “out of control” amid escalating tensions between the West African state and its European partners following two coups.
Le Drian also called the military government illegitimate. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Saturday that French troops would not stay in Mali if the price was too high.
