Iraq expels Swedish ambassador as man desecrates Quran in Sweden

Iraq's prime minister ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d'affaires from Sweden on Thursday, July 20, as a man desecrated a copy of the Quran in Stockholm.

The diplomatic blowup came hours after protesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Quran stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, breaking into the compound and lighting a small fire, AP reports.

The Swedish Embassy announced it had closed to visitors. Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani said that Iraqi authorities will prosecute the arsonists as well, referring to "negligent security officials" for investigation.

The man kicked and stood on the Quran during his protest at the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm as Swedish police stood by.