Britain to expel all Libyan embassy staff

LONDON -- Britain will expel all Libyan embassy staff as part of efforts to increase pressure on Libyan leader Gaddafi's regime, local media reported on Wednesday.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague is expected to confirm the news later. The Foreign Ministry has summoned the Libyan charge d'affaires and asked all Libyan diplomats to leave Britain.

The representatives of the Libyan national transitional council in London will take over the embassy, and the rebel-led council will be officially recognized as representing Libya.

There are eight staff who work at the Libyan embassy in London. Britain has already expelled the Libyan ambassador and two Libyan diplomats in May.