In an unexpected move, Greece has ruled out taking legal action against the UK to reclaim the Elgin Marbles, which were taken out of the country 200 years ago, snubbing high-profile lawyer Amal Clooney's suggestion.
Greece's culture minister said the country would pursue a "diplomatic and political" approach to retrieving the sculptures from the British Museum, instead.
Greece rejected the advice of barrister Amal Clooney, wife of Hollywood star George Clooney, who had urged Greece to take Britain to the International Criminal Court.
The Marbles were taken from Greece's Parthenon by Lord Elgin 200 years ago.
Greece insists the Parthenon Sculptures, as they are properly known, were taken illegally and has pursued a high-profile campaign in recent years for their return, latterly with the help of human rights lawyer Clooney.
The high-profile lawyer reportedly submitted a 150-page report to the Greek government this week urging it to formally request the repatriation of the marbles and take Britain to the International Criminal Court if it refused.
But Greece's culture minister Nikos Xydakis told the country's Mega TV: "One cannot go to court over whatever issue. Besides, in international courts the outcome is uncertain."
He said he believed attitudes to the future of the Marbles were slowly changing and would favour Greece in a diplomatic approach.
For 30 years, Greece has been locked in a bitter dispute over its demand for the marbles to be returned.
The British Museum recently turned down a proposal by UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, to mediate in the dispute, a move Xydakis condemned as "lack of respect".
