Ankara - A Syrian national who allegedly planned to stab US President Barack Obama was arrested in Istanbul on Friday, Turkish media reported on Tuesday.

The man had attempted to gain press credentials for Obama's visit claiming he worked for the Al Jazeera. The Ankara correspondent for Al Jazeera said that they had never heard of the man.

Reports said he had confessed to police after his arrest.

Obama arrived in Ankara Sunday night. He flew to Istanbul on Monday and left Istanbul for Washington Tuesday afternoon. (dpa)