France's Ambassador to Belarus Nicolas de Bouillane de Lacoste. (Photo: globeecho.com)

A spokeswoman for the embassy who made the announcement did not say why the Belarusian authorities demanded that Ambassador Nicolas de Bouillane de Lacoste leave before Monday.

But according to the Belarusian media, Ambassador de Lacoste never met President Alexander Lukashenko to present his credentials. France, like many other EU countries, has not recognized Lukashenko’s claim to a sixth presidential term after last year’s elections.

Meanwhile, President Lukashenko has accused other countries of trying to incite violence to overthrow his government. Recently, Belarus has severed its ties with many countries.