U.S. diplomat, Pakistan expert Robin Raphel facing federal probe for alleged spying

veteran State Department diplomat and longtime Pakistan expert Robin Raphel is under federal investigation as part of a counterintelligence probe and has had her security clearances withdrawn.

Thw Washington Post quoted American Government officials, as saying that the probe was a counter-intelligence matter involving allegations of spying on behalf of foreign governments.

The American daily further revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had searched 67-year-old Raphel's Northwest Washington home last month. They also confirmed that her State Department office had been examined and sealed.

Official sources said Raphel, a fixture in Washington's diplomatic and think-tank circles, has been placed on administrative leave since last month, and her contract with the State Department had been allowed to expire this week.

The exact nature of the investigation involving Raphel remains unclear and she is yet to be charged.

A spokesman for Raphel said she was cooperating with investigators but has not been told the "scope or nature or that she is the target" of any probe.

U.S. officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Spokesmen with the FBI and the Justice Department's National Security Division declined to comment.

Raphel has not responded to attempts to reach her by phone or e-mail. Her daughter also declined to comment, instead referring questions to a family spokesman.

The spokesman, Andrew Rice, said Raphel's security clearances were put on hold last month and that she is no longer employed by the State Department.

The longtime diplomat was among the U.S. government's most senior advisers on Pakistan and South Asian issues. She is a former assistant secretary of state for South Asia and a former ambassador to Tunisia. At the time of the FBI search of her house, she had retired from the Foreign Service but was working for the State Department on renewable, limited contracts that depended in part on her security clearances.