Obama skips summits in Indonesia, Brunei due to US government shutdown

President Barack Obama speaks on the government shutdown and the budget and debt ceiling debates in Congress during a visit to M. Luis Construction, a construction company, in Rockville, Maryland, on Oct 3, 2013, on the third day of the government sh
President Barack Obama speaks on the government shutdown and the budget and debt ceiling debates in Congress during a visit to M. Luis Construction, a construction company, in Rockville, Maryland, on Oct 3, 2013, on the third day of the government shutdown. Mr Obama has cancelled plans to attend summits in Indonesia and Brunei, the White House said in a statement, bowing to the reality that a US government shutdown impasse requires him to remain in Washington. -- PHOTO: AFP 

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Barack Obama has cancelled plans to attend summits in Indonesia and Brunei, the White House said in a statement, bowing to the reality that a US government shutdown impasse requires him to remain in Washington.

The decision means Mr Obama will no longer depart on Saturday for what had originally been a four-nation, week-long Asia trip.

He had cancelled visits to Malaysia and the Philippines earlier this week because of his budget struggle with Republicans in Congress.

He was due to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bali and the East Asia summit and the inaugural US-Asean meeting in Brunei.

Mr Obama will be represented by Secretary of State John Kerry, the White House said.

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