A Wednesday meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Russian Patriarch Aleksiy II has been cancelled at the request of the Israeli delegation, according to the press service of the religious leader, quoted by Russian news agency, Novosti.
The press service reported that as early as Tuesday night, the Israeli delegation asked to cancel the meeting due to health reasons, saying Sharon "felt bad."
The Israeli side also asked to cancel Sharon's meeting with State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznyov.
However, an Israeli government spokesman brushed aside the reports, saying, "The prime minister is in very good shape."
The spokesman was quoted by AFP as saying that both the Seleznyov and patriarch meetings had only been tentatively scheduled.
Sharon has scheduled talks with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, officials said.
AFP added that Sharon was expected to meet leaders of the Russian Jewish community Wednesday before holding a previously unscheduled round of talks with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov around 4:00pm.
Sharon is due to leave Moscow on Thursday - Albawaba.com
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