Germany sacks ambassador to Libya

German Embassy in Tripoli shut its doors in wake of the popular uprising in Libya that began in March

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/182503.html

Germany has dismissed its ambassador to Libya after he made a private visit to the troubled state's capital of Tripoli without notifying his superiors.

German authorities said Matthias Meyer's visit to Tripoli in the wake of the popular uprising against Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi violated regulations of the German foreign ministry, German daily Bild am Sonntag reported.

The German envoy reportedly returned to Tripoli in order to pick up his private possessions from his residence but did not inform his superiors at the foreign ministry.

In wake of the political unrest that started in the North African state in March, Germany shut down its Tripoli embassy and withdrew its diplomats from the country. The website of the German embassy in Libya, however, said the closure was temporary.

Earlier last week, Germany pulled out of NATO operations in the Mediterranean due to disagreements over the forces' mission in Libya.

A ministry spokesman said two frigates and two other ships with a crew of 550 would be reverted to German command.

Some 60 to 70 German troops participating in NATO-operated AWACS surveillance operations in the Mediterranean would also be withdrawn, according to the ministry.