Mali's military leaders are expelling the French ambassador over what they describe as "outrageous" comments about the transitional government. 

Joel Meyer has been given 72 hours to leave. 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday said the junta was "illegitimate" and out of control. 

France has threatened to pull its troops out of Mali, where they have been fighting an Islamist insurgency. 

Western powers are concerned about Mali's alleged use of Russian mercenaries. 

Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop last week said even if the devil offered his hand, Mali would take it.