Clinton says NKorea's response to U.N. "unnecessary"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that North Korea's expulsion of U.N. nuclear inspectors after the Security Council condemned it for last week's rocket launch was unnecessary.

"We are viewing this as an unnecessary response to the legitimate statement put out of concern by the Security Council," Clinton told reporters.

"Obviously we hope that there will be an opportunity to discuss this not only with our partners and allies but also eventually with the North Koreans," she said.

(Editing by Sandra Maler)

(Washington newsroom 202-898-8300)