US orders nonessential diplomats out of Cuba

The US State Department ordered families of employees and nonessential personnel to leave its embassy in Cuba in response to mysterious attacks which left its diplomats unwell on Friday.

At least 21 staff reported health problems ranging from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.

In a statement on Saturday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that personnel of the US embassy in Cuba have been deliberately targeted. But he has not directly blamed Cuba for the incidents, the New York Times reported.

Some officials said that they have not ruled out the possibility of a third country as a part of the investigation but that investigation continues.

Tillerson noted that the two countries would continue to cooperate in investigating the attacks and diplomatic ties would be maintained.

Cuba affirmed its willingness to continue an active cooperation for the full clarification of the facts, Tillerson added.

Several US officials said that Washington has already expelled two Cuban diplomats over the health-related attacks and warned Americans not to visit the country because some attacks occurred for its diplomats in hotels there, the New York Times stated.

In a statement on Friday, the Cuban foreign ministry described the decision as "hasty" and that it will affect bilateral relations.

Source: MENA