Indonesia's General Gatot Nurmantyo in 2015 at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

(CNN) - The chief of Indonesia's military was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, despite having an invitation from US General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dunford had invited General Gatot Nurmantyo to Washington, D.C., to attend a conference Monday and Tuesday on combating violent extremism, according to a statement from the US Embassy in Indonesia.

Nurmantyo and his wife were set to board an Emirates flight in Jakarta for Washington on Saturday evening, reported CNN Indonesia, a CNN affiliate. But shortly before takeoff, the delegation received notice from US Customs and Border Protection that they weren't permitted entry to the United States.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said the government was seeking clarification from the US government, CNN Indonesia reported.

In a statement, the US Embassy said it was "in touch with the General's staff throughout the weekend, working to facilitate his travel."

Joseph R. Donovan Jr., US Ambassador to Indonesia, apologized to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi "for any inconvenience" to Gatot, the statement said.

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