WASHINGTON, Feb 16: Iraq quickly retaliated in kind after the US government ordered an Iraqi journalist to leave the country for “engaging in activities outside the scope of his job function,” expelling a Fox News reporter from Baghdad by Monday.

The State Department Saturday said Mohammed Allawi, a UN correspondent for the government-owned Iraqi News Agency, and his family have 15 days to leave the United States.

Iraq retaliated by ordering the single Fox News reporter in Baghdad to leave on Monday. “We have been told officially that our correspondent Greg Palkot has to leave by Monday morning,” said John Stack, vice president of Fox’s newsgathering division, The Washington Post reported on Sunday. Stack said Baghdad did allow Fox to keep three technicians in the country.

“The United States, after consultation with the United Nations, has requested the departure of a correspondent for the Iraq News Agency who is accredited to the UN,” said a State Department spokesperson. “The correspondent was engaged in activities outside the scope of his job function. These activities were considered harmful to US national security,” the official said. Allawi, who has covered the United Nations for the government-owned agency for two years, said he received an expulsion letter at his Manhattan home on Thursday. The letter, signed by Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Patrick Kennedy, said Allawi, his wife and five children had 15 days to leave the United States.

“I have never been involved in any activity that could be interpreted as harming the US interests. They have ordered my expulsion without telling me what I have done,” said Allawi.