Indonesian military chief denied entry to the US(photo)

Despite having an invitation from US General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of Indonesia's military was denied entry to the United States on Saturday.

Dunford had invited General Gatot Nurmantyo to Washington, D.C., to attend a conference today and Tuesday on combating violent extremism, according to a statement from the US Embassy in Indonesia.

Nurmantyo and his wife were set to board an Emirates flight in Jakarta for Washington on Saturday evening, but shortly before takeoff, the delegation received notice from US Customs and Border Protection that they weren't permitted entry to the United States. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said the government was seeking clarification from the US government, CNN Indonesia reported.

In a statement, the US Embassy said it was "in touch with the General's staff throughout the weekend, working to facilitate his travel." Joseph R. Donovan Jr., US Ambassador to Indonesia, apologized to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi "for any inconvenience" to Gatot, the statement said.

"We remain committed to our Strategic Partnership with Indonesia as a way to deliver security and prosperity to both our nations and peoples," the embassy said.