FACTBOX-The Parthenon sculptures at centre of row between Britain, Greece

People visit the Parthenon Gallery, designed to accommodate the sculptures of the Parthenon, at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, November 27, 2023. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

ATHENS (Reuters) - Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has cancelled a planned meeting with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis due to a diplomatic row over the status of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon sculptures housed at the British Museum.

Greece has repeatedly asked for their permanent return to Athens, while Britain and the museum have refused to do so.