Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Sweden

Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Sweden after a diplomatic row between the two countries, the state news agency SPA has reported.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia said the move was prompted by remarks by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom that amounted to “an interference in its internal affairs”, in violation of international covenants and diplomatic conventions.

The official Saudi statement carried by the state news agency SPA did not elaborate further.

“We have received information that Saudi Arabia has called its ambassador home,” Erik Boman, spokesman for Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, said on Wednesday.

He said the reason given for the action was Sweden’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s record on human rights and democracy.

On Wednesday, Sweden said it would cancel a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. And earlier this week Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said she was barred from giving a speech to the Arab League in Cairo after protests from Saudi delegates.