The European Union has expressed its full support for the French Ambassador to Niger, after the soldiers who seized power in the country demanded his departure.

The EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs Nabila Massrali said the decision of the putschists to expel the French ambassador is a new provocation which cannot in any way help to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.

The EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs said EU does not recognize the authorities that seized power in Niger on July 26th.