Sleiman visits Turkey, no news on hostages

Lebanon's President Michel Sleiman is expected to arrive in Turkey on Tuesday for a one-day visit where he will chair a small Lebanese delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister Samir Muqbil and a few diplomats and press reporters, Arabstoday sources said. The sources, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the visit was planned 15 days ago, as President Sleiman, who has recently visited quite a few European and Gulf states, also wanted to hold discussions with Turkish officials about recent regional developments, particularly in Syria, as the two states are considerably affected by what happens there. However, the sources asserted that the visit is not linked to any developments regarding the abduction of 11 Lebanese Shia hostages who were detained in Syria nearly two months ago, as the Turkish officials are yet to inform Lebanon about any progress in the efforts aimed at releasing them.