Posted on 03/13/2003 11:46:21 AM PST by knighthawk
Sweden has decided to expel two Iraqi diplomats from Stockholm in response to a request from the United States.
The two are said to have been involved in illegal surveillance of Iraqi dissidents in Sweden.
The Swedish Prime Minister, Goeran Persson, said the decision to expel the two diplomats was made after careful consideration and a thorough investigation by the Swedish secret police.
It is thought Iraq's charge d'affaires in Sweden, Qassim al-Zuhairi, is one of the diplomats, who will now have until next week to leave the country.
Swedish authorities say the expulsions are linked to illegal surveillance of Iraqi dissidents living in Sweden.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday it had received a request from the United States to expel the two.
That would make Sweden the fourth country to act on such a request from the US.
Washington last week asked around 60 countries to expel Iraqi diplomats considered by them to be a security risk.
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