Romania expels two terrorism suspects

BUCHAREST, Mar 1 (Reuters) Romania has expelled two foreign citizens suspected of ''terrorist activities'', a spokesman for the SRI security service said today.

The spokesman, Marius Bercaru, did not confirm a Romanian newspaper report that the two may have had links with al Qaeda, but said the expulsion, which took place in the last few days, was connected with another last October.

''Two foreign citizens were expelled two or three days ago under suspicion of terrorist activities,'' Bercaru told Reuters.

''They were living in the (north-eastern) city of Iasi.'' He said the two had been sent to their countries of origin but declined to disclose their citizenship.

Last October, five students from Iasi suspected of links with al Qaeda were expelled to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan and United Arab Emirates.

Romania, a former communist state which joined NATO in 2004 and hopes to join the European Union next year, is a staunch ally of the United States and has contributed around 800 troops to U S-led forces in Iraq.

REUTERS KD RS1520