London: The invitation to the Syrian ambassador in UK, Dr Sami Khiyami, to royal wedding has been withdrawn after UK officials said it was “inappropriate” for him to attend. The decision to invite Dr Sami Khiyami had been criticised, amid condemnation of a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in his country.
The Foreign Office said his presence would be “unacceptable” and that Buckingham Palace “shared that view”.
Dr Khiyami described the decision as “a bit embarrassing”.
The Foreign Office summoned him earlier this week to urge his government to end the violence, in which a reported 400 people have been killed, and grant more political freedoms.
Amid a growing row over Dr Khiyami’s invitation to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Foreign Office said representatives of countries with which the UK had “normal diplomatic relations” had been invited.
But in a statement, it added: “An invitation does not mean endorsement or approval of the behaviour of any government, simply that we have normal diplomatic relations with that country.
“In the light of this week’s attacks against civilians by the Syrian security forces, which we have condemned, the foreign secretary has decided that the presence of the Syrian ambassador at the royal wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend
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