Anger is growing over the news that Syria's ambassador to London is set to attend the Royal Wedding despite his country's bloody crackdown on protesters. A spokesman for St James's Palace confirmed Dr Sami Khiyami was still on the guest list for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Friday.
On Tuesday, Dr Khiyami was called to the Foreign Office to be told Britain regarded his government's use of force against the demonstrators as "unacceptable".
The Permanent Under Secretary, Simon Fraser, said the Syrian government should immediately halt all attacks against protesters and rein in the army and security forces.
The move was part of a co-ordinated action by France, Germany, Italy and Spain who also summoned the Syrian ambassadors in their countries.
The Palace spokesman said that the diplomatic corps element of the guest list was drawn up in consultation with the Foreign Office, and that all countries with which the UK enjoyed normal diplomatic relations were included.
"We take constant advice from the Foreign Office and it is not for the Palace to determine those countries with which we enjoy diplomatic relations," the spokesman said.
However, shadow defence minister Kevan Jones expressed concern at the prospect of Dr Khiyami attending the wedding just as President Bashar Assad was unleashing a fresh wave of violence against his people. Read More
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