The Turkish foreign ministry could not immediately be reached to confirm the report.

According to NTV, the diplomats declared "persona non grata" were the embassy's first and second secretaries and the deputy trade attache.

It said the diplomats would have to leave Turkish territory next week.

On March 20 the United States called on all countries with Iraq diplomatic missions -- whether embassies, consulates or interest sections -- to suspend their activities until a new regime was installed in Baghdad and to expel their mission chiefs.

SPACE.WIRE