Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador from Sweden in diplomatic row
Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador from Stockholm after a diplomatic row between the two countries over Swedish criticism of Riyadh's human rights record, Saudi Arabia and Sweden said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia confirmed the report, saying 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. Wallstrom called Saudi Arabia a dictatorship last month and denounced its treatment of women and the flogging of human rights activist and blogger Raif Badawi.
In Stockholm, a spokesman for Wallstrom said: "We have received information that Saudi Arabia has called its ambassador home."
