DHAKA: US President Barack Obama has canceled a trip to Indonesia and Brunei due to the government shutdown, the White House announced Thursday night.

"The president made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government," a White House statement said.

Secretary of State John Kerry will lead delegations to both countries instead of the president, the press release said.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a meeting of leaders from 21 nations, is this weekend in Bali.

Source: CNN
BDST: 0856 HRS, OCT 01, 2013
RS/MZR