Remarks by South Africa's ambassador to the United States about President Donald Trump were "unacceptable," a State Department spokesperson told reporters on Monday after Washington last week made the decision to expel the envoy.

After Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was no longer welcome in the U.S. and posted his decision Friday on social media, South African embassy staff were summoned to the State Department and given a formal diplomatic note explaining the decision,

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday he had noted the “regrettable expulsion” of the country’s ambassador to the United States and urged all stakeholders to maintain “decorum.” “South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America,