Britain closes Mali embassy amid chaos

Britain's foreign ministry said it has temporarily closed its embassy in Mali and withdrawn diplomats amid uncertainty following a military coup, according to AP. The ministry said Friday that staff had left the embassy in Bamako because of the "unstable and unpredictable situation in Mali and the continuing lack of constitutional rule." Mali's Tuareg rebels have seized control of the country's north in the chaotic aftermath of a March 21 coup in Bamako which toppled the nation's elected government, and declared it independent. Britain said its decision would mean it has only limited ability to help U.K. nationals who chose to remain in Mali. Since Wednesday, Britain has advised its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible.