Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Sweden after a diplomatic row between the two countries, Sweden’s foreign minstry has said.

“We have received information that Saudi Arabia has called its ambassador home,” Erik Boman, spokesman for Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, said on Wednesday.

He said the reason given for the action was Sweden’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s record on human rights and democracy.

On Wednesday, Sweden said it would cancel a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this week Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said she was barred from giving a speech to the Arab League in Cairo after protests from Saudi delegates. Al Jazeera