President Yahya Jammeh pours his secret herbal remedy to treat HIV/AIDS patients, 21 Feb 2007

Gambia has ordered the expulsion of the country's top United Nations official after she criticized claims from President Yahya Jammeh that he can cure AIDS using natural herbs.

Officials say the U.N. representative, Fadzai Gwaradzimba, has been asked to leave Gambia by Sunday.

In an interview with Britain's Sky News, Gwaradzimba questioned whether there was any scientific proof that the president's AIDS treatment can work.

She also suggested that people may engage in more sexually-risky behavior if they believe there is a cure for the disease.

President Jammeh's treatment regimen requires patients to stop using anti-retroviral drugs, which are used worldwide to delay the onset of AIDS in people infected with HIV.

The president has refused to allow samples of his herbs to be taken out of Gambia for testing.

The 42-year-old Mr. Jammeh has ruled the west African nation since 1996. He won re-election last year.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.