Mali expels French ambassador

Mali on Monday gave the French ambassador 72 hours to leave the West African country after the "hostile" remarks by French authorities about its transitional government, Report informs, citing Anadolu Agency.

The Malian authorities decided to expel the French ambassador after "hostile and outrageous comments" by French officials against them, the statement added.

The move comes in a tense verbal and operational context between Mali and its historical partner and former colonist.

In a press briefing on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian castigated the Malian junta, which he described as "illegitimate," and said that France was in solidarity with the reaction of ECOWAS countries, which have decided to "strongly and courageously" sanction Mali.

He also announced that sanctions will be taken against the junta leaders within the framework of the EU.