PARIS, July 22, 2008 (AFP) – AFP's deputy bureau chief in Tehran, Stuart Williams, was told Monday by Iranian authorities that he must leave the Islamic republic within days.
Williams, a British citizen who has been in the country for two years, was given no explanation when he was informed of the decision after being summoned to the foreign press service at the Iranian culture ministry.
He held a renewable resident's permit which was valid until August 28.
Williams will have to leave Iran as soon as he gets an exit visa, which is expected to be delivered within a few days.
"This is clearly an unjustified expulsion, which we deeply regret," said AFP director of information Denis Hiault, who said the agency wanted to "continue covering Iranian news with the same objectivity."
