MALI kicked out French ambassador Joel Meyer on Monday, giving him 72 hours to leave the country following “hostile remarks” made about the ruling military junta.

Mr Meyer was summoned to explain comments made by French authorities amid rising tensions between the Mali and its former colonial ruler.

The government announced on state TV that he had been expelled soon after the meeting.

“This measure follows the hostile and outrageous comments made recently by the French minister of Europe and foreign affairs and the recurrence of such comments by the French authorities with regard to the Malian authorities, despite repeated protests,” it said.

The statement did not specify the comments that had been made, although last week French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Mali’s leadership was “illegitimate and takes irresponsible measures.”

A French diplomat said that France had noted the decision and said that it remained committed to the stabilisation of the Sahel region, which has been plagued by a jihadist insurgency that has seen thousands killed and millions displaced.

But mass protests have taken place against the continued French presence in the region, where it has been accused of war crimes and aiding the resurgence of Islamist militia.

Earlier this month, the Economic Community of West African States representative was expelled after sanctions were imposed on Mali following the delay of elections planned for next month.