Australia expels Iraqi diplomats
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Foreign Minister Downer says the decision does not constitute a break in diplomatic relations with Iraq.
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CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) -- Australia has given all Iraqi embassy staff five days to leave the country in the wake of the Canberra's decision to commit troops to a likely U.S.-led war in Iraq.
"The expulsion of staff from the Iraqi embassy will contribute to the security of Australia and Australian forces fighting in Iraq," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement issued Tuesday.
Downer said the diplomats had until midnight March 23 to depart.
An official at the Iraqi embassy said he did not know when or whether the diplomats would leave and declined further comment.
Earlier this month Canberra expelled an Iraqi diplomat on suspicion of spying.
The expulsion came after the United States asked 60 countries to throw out Iraqis believed to work for Baghdad's intelligence services.
Several countries heeded Washington's request, but others, like Belgium and Russia, rejected it.
Downer said the closure of the Iraqi embassy did not constitute a break in diplomatic relations with Iraq.
"Following the conclusion of hostilities, Australia and a new government in Iraq should be able to agree quickly on a resumption of diplomatic representation in Canberra," he said.
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