ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday rebutted `baseless stories` against Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.

In a statement, the office of the FO spokesman said a section of the media had been running stories alleging that Mr Fatemi had left the country.

Mr Fatemi is in the Foreign Office, performing his official duties, it said.

`Irresponsible and malicious allegations` by an anchor of an electronic media outlet are not only a serious attack on the person of Mr Fatemi, but also this ministry, which deals with matters relating to ties with foreign countries, it said.

The ministry has taken a serious view of the matter and reserves the right to take legal action against those involved, the statement said.