Belgium and Rwanda announced the expulsion of each other's diplomats as relations deteriorated over allegations of their roles in the conflict raging in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after M23 rebels seized control of major cities in Kivu province.
Kigali said it had severed diplomatic relations and given Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the East African country, accusing Brussels of "using lies and manipulation to ensure an unjustified hostile view of Rwanda."
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the move was "disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda, they prefer not to engage in dialogue," according to Reuters.
He added that Brussels would respond in kind by declaring the Rwandan diplomats persona non grata.
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