On behalf of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan was invited to attend the UN conference due May 9-13 in Istanbul.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, French President Nicolas Sarkozy were also invited along with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, whose attendance is unconfirmed.

The forum is expected to host 59-69 presidents and over 100 foreign ministers, according to Zaman.