France has expelled 14 "former diplomats" who served under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi at the Libyan embassy in Paris, giving them up to 48 hours to leave the country.

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AP - France’s foreign ministry says the government has ordered 14 diplomats loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to leave the country within 48 hours.

A foreign ministry spokesman says the fourteen "ex-diplomats" worked for Libya’s embassy before it was shut about a month ago. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with the official protocol.

The foreign ministry said in a statement Friday that the 14 have been deemed "persona non grata," and that they have between 24 to 48 hours to leave France.

France has recognized Libya’s opposition movement and has been a major backer of a NATO-led military mission aimed to protect civilians from an onslaught by Gadhafi’s forces.



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