Sudan expels Western diplomats

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

KHARTOUM (AFP) — Sudan has expelled European and Canadian diplomats for "interfering in its affairs," a move that could further strain relations with the West.

The White House reacted to Sudan's announcement on Friday saying it hoped it was not an attempt to sidetrack international efforts to end the conflict in Darfur, which Washington has termed genocidal.

"Sudan has summoned the envoy of the European Commission and the Canadian charge d'affaires and informed them they were considered persona non grata because they interfered in Sudanese affairs," Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Ali al-Sadek told the official SUNA news agency.

The exact reasons for their expulsion were not immediately clear.

"The Sudanese have a history of doing this sort of...