Australia expels Iraqi diplomat

Australia has expelled an Iraqi diplomat because of security concerns.

Foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer says Ibrahim Aares has until Wednesday to leave Australia.

"We have reason to believe that he's associated with the Iraqi Intelligence Agency and he is assessed by our agency as an Iraqi intelligence officer. His activities are incompatible with a status of a diplomat," Mr Downer said.

"We do have real security concerns about his activities and our decision is based in particular on an assessment made by ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation)."