In an unprecedented move and without much warning, the Yemeni government demanded the French Ambassador immediate departure.

According to government sources close to the palace, Ahmed Saleh, the president’s eldest son and contender to the presidency, would have ordered the ouster of all French embassy personnel since he felt that they were coercing against the regime by supporting the revolution.

Although French officials in Sana’a refused to comment saying that it was a matter of “French national security”, the Yemen Post managed to get confirmation of the facts through one Yemeni national working at the Embassy. The man who for obvious reason prefers to remain anonymous said that Joseph Silva, the French Ambassador for Yemen, had already left the country.

Ahmed Saleh is believed to have warned that all French nationals were from now on unwelcome in Yemen. If it is the case, French run companies, such as TOTAL and YLNG might be in serious trouble.

Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar immediately reacted to the news by condemning such a rash decision on the part of the regime, adding that France had been a longstanding Yemeni ally. He stressed that a break in diplomatic ties with a country which carries such heavy interests in Yemen was borderline irresponsible.

Politicians believe that the move was prompted by France Foreign Mnister, Alain Juppe when he stated back in March: “We [France] say to Yemen, where the situation is worsening, we believe today that the departure of president Saleh is unavoidable.”