LEBANON: US request to expel Iraqi diplomats turned down

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

BEIRUT, Mar 17 2003 (IPS) - Lebanon has reportedly turned down a US request to expel Iraqi diplomats currently based in Beirut, the Arabic newspaper "As-Safir" reported today.

The Beirut-based newspaper quoted an unidentified Lebanese diplomat as saying the US Embassy in Beirut has communicated to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry an "urgent request" to expel some Iraqi diplomats Washington accuses of – spying."

Washington has issued such requests to many countries around the world, the source said.