Ankara - Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Ankara Monday for talks with Turkish leaders that are expected to concentrate on bilateral and regional issues, including developments in the Middle East peace process.

Olmert spokesman Mark Regev confirmed that indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel that are being hosted by Turkey will also be on the agenda during talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul.

Turkey has been acting as a mediator for the indirect talks but there are reports that Syria is unwilling to continue at the moment due to Olmert's government in its final days.

Olmert resigned in September amid corruption allegations but continues to rule Israel ahead of a transitional government until a new one is formed after elections on February 10.

The Qatari al-Watan newspaper on Sunday quoted Syrian officials saying that Syria does not want to hold the next round of indirect talks with Olmert still in office and prefers to wait until after US president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration and the establishment of a new Israeli government.

Olmert however wants to keep the talks alive for as long as he is in office, defying harsh criticism at home by both the opposition and members of his own coalition, who say he lacks the authority and the legitimacy to hold any negotiations at this point.

No press conference was scheduled during the visit. (dpa)