Zebari, in London for discussions with Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, said he respected the right of Britain to decide who received the honor. But he said the decision could be used to cause trouble.
Rushdie's award has already sparked an angry response in Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, and other Muslim parts of the world.
On June 19, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the British Ambassador to Tehran, Geoffrey Adams, saying the decision to award Rushdie the title was regarded by Iran as a “provocative act.”
Pakistan also delivered a similar message to Britain's envoy in Islamabad, High Commissioner Robert Brinkley.
Both replied that Rushdie -- who has penned many books besides “The Satanic Verses” -- was awarded for his overall services to literature and his honor should not be seen as a political gesture targeting Muslims.
Britain also said Brinkley had passed on London's "deep concern" at comments by Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Ijaz-ul-Haq that Rushdie's knighthood could motivate potential suicide attacks.
Pakistan's parliament has already formally condemned the move and demanded that Britain take back the title.
Elsewhere, there was also a small protest outside the British Embassy in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, today, by supporters of a hardline Islamic party.
Years In Hiding
Rushdie became Sir Salman in Queen Elizabeth's June 16 birthday honors list.
The Indian-born Rushdie first pursued a career in advertising before turning to writing, winning Britain's prestigious Booker Prize for his 1981 novel "Midnight's Children."
"The Satanic Verses," published in 1988, angered many Muslims for its perceived disrespectful depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, his wives and companions.
Iran's late Ayatollah Khomeini the following year issued a fatwa, or religious edict, ordering Muslims to kill the author because the novel insulted Islam.
Rushdie spent the next nine years hiding in secret locations in the United Kingdom, under government protection.
Iran's government in 1998 said it would not support the original fatwa, though some groups have said it is irrevocable.
Since then Rushdie has appeared in public more and more.
(compiled from agency reports)
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