28/04/2011

Syrian's Royal Wedding Invite Withdrawn

Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.

In the light of this week's attacks against civilians by the Syrian security forces, the Foreign Secretary decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable. Buckingham Palace shares the view of the Foreign Office that it is not considered appropriate for the Syrian Ambassador to attend the wedding.

Yesterday the Permanent under secretary Simon Fraser summoned the Syrian Ambassador to underline Britain's condemnation of the use of force against protesters.

Updating Parliament on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa the Foreign Secretary said that the UK "utterly condemns" the violence and killings perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against civilians who are "expressing their views in peaceful protests".

He added: "This violent repression must stop. President Assad should order his authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression."

(BMcN)

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