France calls for end of fighting as Eritrea ambassador is ejected from Ethiopia

France has called upon Eritrea and Ethiopia to put an immediate end to the fighting between the two sides. It expressed regret over the renewed fighting between the two countries.

Assistant spokeswoman for the French Foreign Ministry Frances Revasu recommended that French citizens -- 10 in Ethiopia and 500 in Eritrea -- suspend their movements in order to ensure their safety. She reiterated Paris' support for the mediation efforts carried out by the Organization of African Unity to put an end to the conflict between Addis Ababa and Asmara.

Meanwhile, Eritrea said today in a statement "the government of Ethiopia has declared Eritrea's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the Organization of African Unity persona nongrata and has requested him to leave the country in twenty-four (24) hours."