The Philippines ordered the expulsion of an Iraqi diplomat Wednesday for alleged links to Muslim radicals blamed for a bombing that killed a U.S. soldier and three Filipinos in October 2002. Second Secretary Husam Hussein was the second Iraqi diplomat in 12 years to be ejected by the Philippines.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople on Wednesday said he has asked Baghdad to recall the Iraqi diplomat. "The Philippines today formally informed the Iraqi government that Second Secretary Husham Husain of the Iraqi embassy has ceased to enjoy the rights and privileges of a diplomat," Ople said in a statement. "They are already on notice that this man is not considered desirable by the host government," Ople added.
Ople earlier accused Hussein of having been in contact with an alleged Abu Sayyaf rebel minutes after the deadly October bombing in southern Zamboanga city.
On its part, the Iraqi embassy has denied allegations that Hussein was involved with members of Abu Sayyaf. (Albawaba.com)
