Britain is to expel all Libyan embassy staff from the UK.
A Foreign Office spokesman says the Libyan charge d'affaires has been called in and has been informed that he and the remaining Libyan diplomats in the UK are being expelled.
The BBC reports an estimated eight diplomats are involved.
Media reports speculate that the reason behind the expulsion is to replace the diplomats from Muammar Gaddafi's rule with representatives of the Transitional National Council, which is seeking to oust him as leader.