Washington, Jumada Al-Awwal 02, 1432, April 06, 2011, SPA -- The U.S. State Department on Tuesday denounced as "unjustified" Ecuador's expulsion of the U.S. ambassador to the South American country, saying it "deeply" regrets the decision. Ambassador Heather Hodges is "one of our most experienced and talented diplomats," spokesman Mark Toner said. "The department considers her expulsion unjustified." --SPA 11:26 LOCAL TIME 08:26 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/880965