Niger’s junta has ordered the police to expel the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte from the country.

The Nigerien Foreign Ministry said it has revoked the diplomatic immunity of the ambassador.

The Ministry said Itte “no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy.”

It also said the diplomatic cards and visas of the ambassador’s families have been cancelled.

Itte was last week given a 48 hour notice to leave the country, for snubbing a summon by the Nigerien foreign ministry.

The notice expired on 28 August.

In a reaction, France said the illegal junta regime in Niamey has no authority to order its ambassador to leave the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron doubled up on Monday by announcing that the ambassador would stay in Niger.