Britain reduces the number of diplomats in Niger in connection with the evacuation of the first group of British

People line up at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey as foreign nationals evacuate from Niger Photo: JONATHAN SARAGO/Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs /AFP via Getty Images

The Foreign Office is reducing the number of diplomats in Niger after the first British citizens were evacuated from the country after a military coup.

FCDO thinks armed protests could take place Thursday, Independence Day Niger, after protesters attempted to storm the French embassy on Sunday.

A «core team», including the British ambassador, remains in the capital Niamey to support British citizens who remain in the West African country.

A Foreign Office statement said: «There was a military coup in Niger that led to protests and unrest.

«Due to the security situation, the British Embassy in Niamey is temporarily downsizing its staff.»

Protesters hold up a banner reading «France must go». during a demonstration in Niamey. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

The US also ordered the evacuation of some embassy staff and their families, which they said was due to «excessive caution.»

A State Department spokesman added: «The United States remains committed to our relationship with the people Niger and Nigerian Democracy. We continue to maintain diplomatic relations at the highest level.”

On Wednesday, the first British citizens took a French flight from Niger to Paris.

The FCDO reported: “A group of British citizens left Niger on a French flight this evening. We have a team in Paris ready to support them as they land.

«The British Ambassador and core team remain in Niger to support the very small number of British citizens who are still there.»

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France, which occupied Niger for decades until 1960, is evacuating hundreds of French and European citizens from Tuesday.

< p>Mohamed Bazum, President-elect of Niger, has been held by the military since last week in what is the third coup in recent years to overthrow a leader in the Sahel region of Africa.

General Abdurahaman Chiani, head of the presidential guard, has declared himself the new leader of the country.

Tensions are rising in the region, with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso saying that any intervention to restore the ousted government is tantamount to a declaration. wars.