"We categorically deny the reports by certain media. They are baseless," a foreign ministry officialsaid.

Iraqi satellite television said Tuesday that Egyptian authorities gave Riyad Jubayr al-Ani seven days to leave the country.

The press attache at the Iraqi embassy said Wednesday they had received no such notice from the Egyptian government.

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 to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Maher 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 supported the US-led coalition in the 1991 Gulf war.

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

SPACE.WIRE