Thursday, 23 August, 2001, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK 
Gambia kicks out British diplomat

 
The Gambian Government has expelled a senior British diplomat following his attendance at an opposition coalition rally. 
A senior official in the Gambian Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Deputy High Commissioner, Bharat Joshi, had been asked to leave the country because his presence was considered harmful to Gambia's national interests. 

The British Foreign Office says it will be seeking an explanation from the Gambian High Commissioner to London as it was sure Mr Joshi had done nothing wrong. 

A BBC correspondent in Banjul says although the order did not state the reason for the expulsion, the Gambian Govenrment has become increasingly concerned with what it sees as "political interference in its affairs". 

Political tension 

Last month the authorities summoned some western diplomats in Banjul and accused them of being in the process of sponsoring a newspaper to undermine and discredit it. 

Political tensions have been rising in the former British colony as an alliance of political parties prepares to challenge President Yayha Jammeh in elections in October. 

President Jammeh came to power in a military coup in 1994 but subsequently won later elections. 

The civilian leader he overthrew in 1994, Sir Dawda Jawara, has said he will return from exile in the UK to support the oppposition challenge, following the lifting of the ban on political parties at the time of his overthrow. 

The main opposition alliance candidate is Ousainou Darboe, a lawyer who challenged Mr Jammeh at the last election. 

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