Germany says it has expelled five Libyan diplomats for allegedly pressuring Libyan dissidents in the country. Foreign Ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke told reporters Wednesday that Germany had "summoned the Libyan ambassador today and informed him that five of his staff members were being expelled and must leave the country within seven days."
The move comes a day before a meeting of foreign ministers of the Nato alliance, which is leading a campaign against Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi. Germany is not taking part in the campaign on the grounds it is too risky.
Peschke refused to give any further details regarding the groups' activities, saying only "they were not in keeping with their diplomatic status."