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Benetton withdrew one of their new shock ads from the UNHATE campaign after the fake picture was denounced by the Vatican. The image featured a likeness of Pope Benedict XVI locking lips with Egyptian Sheik Ahmed el-Tayeb.

The Italian luxury clothier, branded as the United Colors of Benetton, issued a statement indicating they were “sorry that the use of the symbolic image of reconciliation had so hurt the sensibilities of the faithful…” They went on to explain that the campaign was launched “solely to battle the culture of hate in all its forms.”

Other ad campaign subjects include President Barack Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and in another pose Chinese President Hu Jinteo.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy were depicted, as were Korth Korean leader Kim Jong-il and the President of South Korea Lee Myung-bak.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was also fake kissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This does beg the question … did Benetton go too far? Perhaps not in the case of Sarkozy … the French kiss everyone!

Check out all of the poses below and a video report on the controversial ad campaign:

Photos: Courtesy WENN