ATHENS, Sept 3 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday postponed a planned visit to Greece in the wake of the hostage crisis in southern Russia, a Greek government source said.
The decision was made due to "the events in North Ossetia," according to the source, who said the announcement had been made by Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, currently at an EU meeting in The Netherlands.
The Russian leader was due to travel to Mount Athos, one of Orthodox Christianity's holiest sites, in the north of the country, a visit the Greek authorities said last week had "a special importance."
Putin had also been due to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis in the nearby town of Salonika, the source said.
The visit was to be the first by a Russian president to the Athos peninsula over which Greek and Russian monks, each backed by their countries, fought in the early 20th century.
He was scheduled to visit the monasteries at Great Lavra, Ifiron and the Russian monastery at Saint Panteleimon during his 24-hour trip.