Niger's military government orders police to expel French ambassador

Niger's military government has cancelled the diplomatic immunity of France's ambassador and ordered police to expel him from the West African country.

The communique was sent by Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this week and seen by The Associated Press on Thursday.

The statement said Itte "no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy."

The document also says the diplomatic cards and visas of the ambassador's families have been canceled.

The generals who ousted Niger’s president more than a month ago gave French Ambassador Sylvain Itte 48 hours to leave the country last week.

The deadline expired on August 28 without France recalling Itte.

The French government says it doesn't recognize the military government as the country's legitimate leaders.

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