U.S. withdraws invitation to Al-Buthi

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi Arabian city of Riyadh has yanked a dinner invitation mistakenly sent to a senior Saudi official labeled a terrorist.

Arab News reported that Soliman Al-Buthi, general manager of Environmental Health at the Riyadh Municipality, was to attend a June 2 dinner honoring Felice Gaer, chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

In 2005, Al-Buthi was designated a terrorist by the United States government for his role in operating the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, based in the western United States. Subsequently, Al-Buthi, along with another official of the organization, was indicted on federal tax charges.

"Al-Buthi was sent an invitation by mistake. The invitation has been withdrawn," said Dave Foley, spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.