Canada has ordered all remaining Libyan diplomats at the embassy in Ottawa to leave the country, in an effort to “isolate and delegitimize” the government of Moammar Gadhafi.

Foreign Minister John Baird called the Libyan diplomats persona non grata . He said they have five days to vacate the embassy and leave the country.

He said Canada is also cutting off the diplomats' access to embassy bank accounts.

The Gadhafi government has been widely criticized for responding to unrest and pro-democracy demonstrations with a fierce crackdown. Canada is taking part in the NATO mission that is assisting rebel fighters in the violent struggle against loyalist forces.