Lebanese President sorry for Riyadh no-show

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has apologised for his non-attendance at an economic summit scheduled in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, sources have told Arabstoday. The President was reportedly unable to attend because of a state visit to Moscow to receive the award of International Institution of the Orthodox Peoples Unity. While visiting the country, Sleiman will reportedly meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss international and regional issues, including recent political, diplomatic and security developments in Syria. Sources said the Lebanese President would stay his current course, not involving Lebanon in a conflict that could re-ignite internal divisions within the country. Russian officials reportedly offered the Lebanese government the "necessary assistance" to deal with an ongoing refugee crisis, as tens of thousands of Syrian and Palestinian refugees pour over the border to escape the conflict. Sources also said Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati would not attend the Riyadh summit, after Saudi officials announced the meeting would not be possible amid tense relations. However, sources close to the Prime Minister dismissed the information as “lies,” adding that a Lebanese official would head a national delegation at the summit.