Canada has suspended its diplomatic presence in Libya and evacuated its embassy staff from the strife-torn north African country, an official said in Ottawa.
"The government has decided today to suspend its diplomatic presence in Libya and has instructed all Canada-based staff to depart Libya," Dimitri Soudas, communications director for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said at a news briefing.
He said such a decision was based on the recommendation of Canada's ambassador to Libya, and in close collaboration with the actions of Canada's international partners, including the US, Xinhua reported.
Soudas said a Canadian C-17 Globemaster aircraft took Canadian Ambassador Haig Sarafian and his staff members out of Tripoli Saturday.
The military plane, which landed in Tripoli without Libya's clearance, left there carrying 46 evacuees, including 24 Canadian citizens as well as an Australian diplomatic team for Malta, he said.