News / National
Zimbabwe boots out Libyan envoy: Confirmed
31 Aug 2011 at 04:47hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE yesterday gave former Libyan Ambassador Mr Taher Elmegrahi and his embassy staff a 72-hour ultimatum to leave following their renunciation of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's authority last week.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi told journalists in Harare yesterday that Mr Elmegrahi's actions contravened international law and protocols governing diplomatic relations.
Earlier in the day, Mr Elmegrahi had met Foreign Affairs Secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha, where the Government's decision was conveyed to him in a note verbale.
Reads the note verbale: "The Government of Zimbabwe regards the recent statements and activities of the ambassador and staff of the Embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya as being inconsistent with their status as diplomatic agents of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
"Furthermore, both the statements and activities are unacceptable to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, which has diplomatic relations with the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya."
The ministry added that in terms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the ambassador and the staff no longer enjoyed diplomatic relations.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the esteemed embassy that the Government of Zimbabwe has taken a decision to withdraw its diplomatic staff from the embassy of Zimbabwe in Tripoli.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe avails itself this opportunity to renew to the embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya the assurances of its highest consideration," reads the note.
A highly-placed source yesterday said Government's actions were not a cut but a freeze in diplomatic relations with Libya.
The source said the NTC was not recognised by Zimbabwe because it had been installed by NATO and excluded other Libyans.
Zimbabwe embassy staff in Libya has already been evacuated and skeletal staff that was remaining was moved to Algeria.
Mr Elmegrahi said soon after the meeting that he accepted Zimbabwe's decision.
"Of course, I expected the decision because Zimbabwe is a sovereign country. I will now go to my office and decide what to do but I still respect the Government (of Zimbabwe) and its people.
The NTC has been recognised by at least 13 African countries.
The AU has called for dialogue among all the parties in Libya including Colonel Gaddafi, while the NTC does not want him and members of his Government to be part of any future authority.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi told journalists in Harare yesterday that Mr Elmegrahi's actions contravened international law and protocols governing diplomatic relations.
Earlier in the day, Mr Elmegrahi had met Foreign Affairs Secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha, where the Government's decision was conveyed to him in a note verbale.
Reads the note verbale: "The Government of Zimbabwe regards the recent statements and activities of the ambassador and staff of the Embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya as being inconsistent with their status as diplomatic agents of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
"Furthermore, both the statements and activities are unacceptable to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, which has diplomatic relations with the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya."
The ministry added that in terms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the ambassador and the staff no longer enjoyed diplomatic relations.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the esteemed embassy that the Government of Zimbabwe has taken a decision to withdraw its diplomatic staff from the embassy of Zimbabwe in Tripoli.
A highly-placed source yesterday said Government's actions were not a cut but a freeze in diplomatic relations with Libya.
The source said the NTC was not recognised by Zimbabwe because it had been installed by NATO and excluded other Libyans.
Zimbabwe embassy staff in Libya has already been evacuated and skeletal staff that was remaining was moved to Algeria.
Mr Elmegrahi said soon after the meeting that he accepted Zimbabwe's decision.
"Of course, I expected the decision because Zimbabwe is a sovereign country. I will now go to my office and decide what to do but I still respect the Government (of Zimbabwe) and its people.
The NTC has been recognised by at least 13 African countries.
The AU has called for dialogue among all the parties in Libya including Colonel Gaddafi, while the NTC does not want him and members of his Government to be part of any future authority.
Source - TH
