It called the decision "regrettable."

Egyptian authorities gave Riyad Jubayr al-Ani seven days to leave the country, said the television, which gave no further details.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher had said March 23 that Cairo had no plans to expel Iraqi diplomats, as had been demanded by the United States, which is leading a war aimed at deposing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Maher had made his remarks the same day Jordan ordered out five staffers at the Iraqi embassy, although it later lifted the expulsion order against two of them.

Egypt had supported the US-led coalition which in 1991 forced Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.

Iraq broke off relations with the Arab world's largest country in January 1991 at the start of the Gulf war, but they were re-established in November 2000 at the level of charges d'affaires with ambassadors' rank.

SPACE.WIRE