Daniel Mitov Ready for Foreign Minister Role Amid Geopolitical Test in Bulgaria
Daniel Mitov, Deputy Chairman of GERB, has expressed his readiness to assume the position of Acting Foreign Minister
Diplomatic staff from the Libyan Embassy in Sofia, led by Ibrahim al-Furis, persona non grata in Bulgaria as of July 25, has taken control of the building, pledging allegiance to the rebel forces.
The group took down the Libyan flag, smashed a portrait of Gaddafi to pieces and laid hands on the mission's seal and cash box, pledging allegiance to the rebels.
The interim head of the Libyan Embassy and his secretary were temporarily detained after refusing to denounce Gaddafi.
The Bulgarian staff of Libya's diplomatic mission did not stop work and had not received any information about what was about to happen, according to a report of Bulgarian Dnevnik daily.
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry explained that the decision for declaring al-Furis a persona non grata had not been taken as a result of him siding with the rebels from Benghazi.
He was declared declared as unwanted person in Bulgaria pursuant to Article 9 of the Vienna Convention.
Under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a receiving state may "at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that the head of the mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is persona non grata or that any other member of the staff of the mission is not acceptable".
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry claimed that Consul Ibrahim al-Furis had been asked to voluntarily step down weeks ago and he had started preparations for his departure.
"I settled my bank accounts and the plane tickets but I decided to stay to clear my name and to protect my son", al-Furis told journalists.
Al-Furis' son is undergoing treatment at the St Ivan Rilski hospital.
The Libyan diplomat, who has 24 hours to leave the country, said Monday that he would not do it and would stay in Bulgaria.
He further explained that he expected to be named official representative of the Libyan rebel forces in Bulgaria in two weeks.
In the meantime, the Bulgarian authorities suspended contact with the Libyan Embassy in Sofia until "the situation becomes clear".
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Italy has thrown its weight behind Bulgaria's bid for full-fledged membership in the Schengen area, affirming its steadfast support during Italian President Sergio Mattarella's two-day visit to Bulgaria
In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing Bulgaria's commitment to its European aspirations and tackling corruption, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov held a crucial meeting with EU, Ukrainian, US, and British ambassadors
In a statement that underscores the United States' keen interest in Bulgaria's political landscape, US Ambassador Kenneth Merten expressed disappointment at the failure of negotiations to form a government in the country
Nathaniel Copsey has been appointed as the new British Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, succeeding Rob Dixon, announced the British Embassy
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev engaged in a telephone conversation with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Bulgaria
Bulgaria has taken a firm stance against the recent Russian presidential elections held in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022