Two members of Cuba's UN mission ordered to leave

Two members of Cuba's UN mission have been ordered to leave the United States after engaging in activities harmful to US national security, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus has said.

"We take any & all attempts against the National Security of the US seriously," Ortagus said on Twitter.

In a statement, she said the State Department had told the Cuban foreign ministry that the United States "requires the imminent departure" of the two members of Cuba's UN mission.

Ortagus said on Thursday that the pair had been "abusing their privileges of residence" and attempting to "conduct influence operations against the United States."