Ukrainian leader starts Middle East tour

The Ukrainian President, Leonid Kuchma, has left Kiev on a Middle East tour which will take him to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Ukrainian officials say the five-day trip is aimed at boosting trade and economic cooperation.

Mr Kuchma is being accompanied by several senior ministers.

Correspondents say the Ukrainian leader has been relatively isolated internationally in the past couple of years, and his visit may partly be intended to improve his profile.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service