In an unusual diplomatic move, the US called Thursday for the expulsion of Iraqi diplomats by all countries that recognize and deal with the government in Baghdad.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the diplomats represented a "corrupt and ruthless regime" and cited Iraq's refusal to disarm.
Also on Thursday, the State Department temporarily closed embassies and consulates in about 15 countries. The decision was based on a judgment of the security situation in those countries by the senior American diplomats there.
Two weeks ago, the US asked more than 60 countries to expel several hundred Iraqi diplomats the CIA identified as suspected intelligence agents.
In the new request, made overnight, the US also asked countries to try to prevent the destruction of Iraqi documents in Iraqi embassies and consulates and to freeze Iraq's bank accounts so the money could be used by a successor, postwar government.
As for the diplomats themselves, Boucher said they might be able to find their way back to Iraq or could apply for asylum.
"We just think they need to be kicked out of the countries they are now in," the spokesman said. He said they were representing a country that does not have a responsible government.
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