Tripoli, Muharram 22, 1433, Dec 17, 2011, SPA -- US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta arrived Saturday in the Libyan capital Tripoli for a surprise visit to assess the situation in the North African country, according to dpa. Panetta, who flew into Tripoli from Ankara, said the aim of his visit was to have a chance "of looking at that situation up close." Panetta was to hold talks with senior Libyan officials including Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Keib. -- SPA 18:52 LOCAL TIME 15:52 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/953302