Marrakech to host Middle East conference

A 2-day Middle East dialogue conference will begin in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Tuesday evening. The event, organised by Russian group Valdai International Discussion Club, is titled: Islam in Politics: Ideology or Pragmatism?, and brings together some 100 political, civic and spiritual leaders from the Middle East, including representatives from Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party, Palestinian group Hamas, and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Attendees will reflect on social, cultural and political developments in the Middle East over the last 12 months. "The Valdai Club has been holding annual conferences of Russian and international experts on the Middle East since 2009," said Valdai Club Foundation Executive Director Pavel Andreev. "There is strong interest in this region in dialogue with Russia, for which Valdai provides a respected platform for open and diverse discussions," he added. The conference takes place in Marrakech on May 14 and 15.