British Foreign Office announced "temporary closure" of its embassy in Mali due to "unstable situation" on Friday.

"Given the unstable and unpredictable situation in Mali and the continuing lack of constitutional rule, the UK has decided to temporarily withdraw its staff from its Embassy in Bamako and temporarily suspend all in country services immediately, including consular assistance," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

"Consular assistance will continue to be provided to British nationals from our embassy in Dakar," the spokesperson added, but warning that its ability to help those who chose to remain in Mali "may become limited."

The British Foreign Office issued a warning last Saturday to all British nationals in Mali, urging them to leave the West African country due to security concerns.

The emergency warning advised "against all travel to Mali" and calls for Britons "to leave Mali if you have no pressing need to remain."

On Friday, a rebel group declared the independence of northern Mali from the Western African nation, according to a statement posted on its website, adding further uncertainty to the region.

Related

• China warns of security risks in Mali
• Rebels declare independence of N. Mali

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