France has confirmed Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been invited to an African summit in Paris next month.
The invitation has angered the British because of the African leader's policy of seizing white-owned farms - many of which are owned by Britons.
Mr Mugabe was re-elected to a four-year term last March, in a poll condemned as fraudulent by many Western powers, including Britain and the United States.
The European Union imposed sanctions on Harare after the election, accusing Mr Mugabe of rigging the vote after he refused to allow European observers to work freely.
But the French deny breaking the ban, saying trips to conduct a political dialogue aimed at promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe are exempt.
"We are in accord with the spirit of this common European position," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr Francois Rivasseau told a news briefing.
The 22nd Conference of the Heads of State of Africa and France is to take place in Paris from February 19th-21st.