The Turkish ambassador to France will leave Paris Friday, Dec 23 in protest at the adoption of a bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial by French parliamentarians, an embassy spokesman said.

As spokesman Engin Solakoglu stated, "My ambassador will leave for Turkey tomorrow for an indefinite period.”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was expected to confirm the recall of the ambassador at a press conference later Thursday, Dec 22.

France's National Assembly approved the bill, which punishes denial of genocides by a year's imprisonment and a fine of Euro 45 000, on Thursday. The bill was adopted by a large majority. To become law it must also be approved by the Senate, DPA reported.