Britain withdraws Syria's royal wedding invite

Britain on Thursday withdrew the Syrian ambassador's invitation on the eve of the royal wedding. Seeking to end a diplomatic row  that was fast becoming a headache for organisers, Foreign Secretary William Hague said it was "unacceptable" for the envoy to attend because of Syria's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. "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," a Foreign Office statement said. Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William's grandmother, said it agreed with the move.  In response, Sami Al Khiyami, the Syrian Ambassador wrote: " I was informed by the FCO that my invitation to the wedding has been withdrawn.  It is most regretful, because my staff and I have been working hard over the years to maintain the best possible ties between the UK and Syria.  I would like, on this occasion, to wish the Royal couple a memorable Wedding Day and happiness for the future. " The decision that ambassador Sami Al Khiyami will be barred from joining dozens of envoys from countries around the world at Friday's ceremony followed criticism from rights groups. The Foreign Office had defended the initial invitation, saying the Syrian envoy had been invited alongside all countries with which Britain has normal diplomatic relations and which have ambassadors in London. Bahrain's crown prince has already turned down an invitation following fears his attendance could have detracted from the event because of ongoing unrest in the Gulf kingdom. It is the latest in a string of political controversies surrounding invitations to the wedding, Britain's biggest royal celebration in 30 years and a major chance for the country to strut the world stage.A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Representatives of countries with which the UK has normal diplomatic relations have been invited to the wedding. 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.  Buckingham Palace shares the view of the Foreign Office that it is not considered appropriate for the Syrian Ambassador to attend the wedding.”