Sleiman, Saudi king discuss means to secure hostages release

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman met with Saudi King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz Friday with whom he discussed bilateral ties as well as means to consolidate them.    

Both officials also discussed the issue of Lebanese hostages as well as the Saudi efforts to secure their release.    

Sleiman and Abdul Aziz touched upon the general situation in the Arab world, recent regional developments and Sleiman’s call for dialogue.   

Following talks, Sleiman accepted Prince Saud al-Faisal’s invitation to lunch held in his honor and in which former PM Saad Hariri took part.    

Sleiman had earlier arrived in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi and an administrative, security and media delegation. He was received at the Jeddah airport by Prince Saud al-Faisal and several Saudi officials.    

Earlier in the day, Sleiman received PM Najib Mikati who briefed him on the results of his visit to Turkey.   

In a related context, sources following up on Mikati’s visit to Turkey revealed that negotiations regarding the hostage issue have regressed.    

The sources added that Turkey disassociated itself from the negotiations with kidnappers after other parties pried into the issue.