(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-08 10:29

WASHINGTON -- The United States said Friday that its ambassador to Belarus has not been expelled and will remain in the country while the United States reviews the situation.

US Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart smiles outside a court building in Minsk in this October 30, 2006 file photo. The United States said Friday that its ambassador to Belarus has not been expelled and will remain in the country while the United States reviews the situation. [Agencies]

State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey, at the daily press briefing, said that initial reports had indicated USAmbassador to Belarus Karen Stewart had been expelled from the country.

"That is not true. Ambassador Stewart has not been expelled," Casey said.

"The Belorussian government has suggested, I think that's the polite phrase, that she return to the United States for consultations," Casey said.

"She is in Minsk and she'll remain in Minsk while we continue to review the situation," Casey added.

According to media reports earlier Friday, Belarus recalled its ambassador to the United States on Friday and urged the USenvoy to leave the country.

According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the moves have been taken to retaliate against Washington's new sanctions on Belarus' national oil products firm Belneftekhim last year.

Bilateral ties between the United States and Belarus have been chilly.