Libyan diplomats expelled from Britain to make way for transitional council

“All Libyan embassy staff are to be expelled from Britain, the UK foreign office has announced.

"The move will pave the way for the opposition national transitional council (NTC) to establish a replacement embassy in London.

The renewed diplomatic offensive comes as British aircraft have stepped up the bombing against Muammar Gaddafi's security and intelligence apparatus before the arrival of Ramadan, on 1 August.

On Monday, there were signs that Britain was softening its position when the foreign secretary, William Hague, said that Gaddafi could stay in Libya if he agreed to relinquish his hold on power.

Hague will confirm details of the expulsion in a speech at the foreign office on Wednesday. A foreign office spokeswoman said that the charge d'affaires had been called into the foreign office and told that he and all remaining staff at the Libyan embassy were being expelled.”