UK Announces Temporary Scale Down Of Niger Embassy Staff Following Coup

Britain said Thursday it was temporarily cutting its embassy staff in Niger following a military coup.

"Due to the security situation the British Embassy in Niamey is temporarily reducing the number of its staff," the foreign office said in a statement.

The United States on Wednesday ordered the partial evacuation of diplomatic staff while France on Thursday asked the junta to ensure the safety of its mission and diplomatic personnel in Niamey after violent protests outside its embassy.

The putschists have accused France, Niger's former colonial ruler, of trying to intervene militarily in the West African country.

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