Britain is to expel an Israeli diplomat over the use of fake UK passports by a hit-squad that killed a Hamas operative in Dubai earlier this year, officials have said.

Israel’s spy agency, the Mossad, has been accused by authorities in the UAE of being involved in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh on January 20.

The diplomat is likely to be the head of Mossad in London, Al Jazeera has learnt.

David Miliband, Britain’s foreign secretary, was expected to make a statement later on Tuesday.

Alan Fisher, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in London said the move was "to show British displeasure".

"The British are not making any suggestion at this stage that this was a Mossad operation … but they are saying that the government knew about the cloned passports and that’s why they’re taking this action".

Earlier Israel has confirmed that Ron Prosor, its ambassador to Britain, was called to London’s foreign office on Monday for talks.

Wanted List

The move comes at the end of an investigation into the use of fake UK passports by a team of assassins.

Britain sent investigators to Israel this month to meet eight Israeli-British dual nationals whose identities were used by suspects in the killing.

Dubai authorities have identified at least 26 suspects from the alleged hit-squad that travelled to the UAE on fake identities and forged European and Australian passports.

At least 15 of the suspected killers share names with Israeli citizens, fuelling suspicions the Mossad was behind the hit.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in al-Mabhouh’s killing.

Interpol has published a wanted list of 27 people in connection with the slaying.
 
(Agencies)