France tells Libyan diplomats to leave

PARIS, May 6 (UPI) -- France has given 14 Libyan diplomats two days to get out of the country, following a similar order by Britain, French officials said.

A statement from the French foreign ministry declared the group "persona non grata."

The New York Times described the group as "ex-diplomats" from the Libyan embassy in Paris, which closed about a month ago.

The expelled diplomats are loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, but France no longer recognizes his government.

Britain previously closed the Libyan embassy in London and ordered its diplomats to leave the country.