Critics regard Mugabe’s presence as especially provocative because of what they see as his role in plunging his once bountiful nation into economic chaos.

In what he portrayed as a reform program, Mugabe seized thousands of white-owned farms that he said would go to landless blacks but ended up, critics charge, in the hands of his cronies, who allowed them to waste away.

Australia and the Netherlands joined the chorus condemning Mugabe’s presence. Another participant raising eyebrows is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who before traveling to Rome reiterated his conviction that Israel will be wiped from the map.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has chosen to exclude Mugabe and Ahmadinejad from a state dinner tonight honouring conference attendees, Italian news agencies reported. Berlusconi is co-hosting the dinner with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.