Security will be stepped up around Seef, Bahrain, this weekend as world leaders, military chiefs and intelligence officers convene for a major regional security summit.

The 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit: The Manama Dialogue 2014 will be held from December 5 to 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Checkpoints are expected near the hotel and adjoining areas ahead of the summit's opening.

Delegates will discuss efforts to counter extremism in the region, along with conflicts in Iraq, Syria and negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file.

“Over 10 years the Manama Dialogue has convened offering the opportunity for regional defence diplomacy,” IISS director-general and chief executive Dr John Chipman told the GDN yesterday (December 2).

“Now, ministers come to the Dialogue not just to encounter each other, but to advance their relations in important ways.

“Planning to accomplish specific things at the Manama Dialogue is now an important feature of the process.

“The IISS expects important announcements to be made and new agreements to be concluded at this summit.”

Sources told the GDN that a 40-member delegation from the UK will be taking part in the talks.

“The 40-member delegation headed by British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond will be arriving in Bahrain to take part in the Manama Dialogue,” they said.

Meanwhile, Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird is among world leaders taking part in the three-day regional security conference.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development said in a statement yesterday that Mr Baird would be in Bahrain after attending the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Foreign Ministerial Council meeting in Basel, Switzerland.

“While there (Bahrain) he will advocate for Canadian priorities in the Middle East and engage with regional partners to discuss a co-ordinated and action-oriented approach to countering violent extremism and terrorism,” said the statement.

An IISS spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that no representatives from the Iranian government would take part in the talks, despite a session focusing on Tehran's nuclear programme.

A special session on Friday evening will kick off proceedings with an opening dinner and special address.

The sessions on Saturday include Strategic Priorities in the Middle East, followed by a discussion on Iraq, Syria and regional security.

The third session will be on Countering Extremism in the Middle East, followed by a debate on Collective Approaches to Current Security Issues.

During the day bilateral meetings between ministers and officials will take place.

Four simultaneous special sessions will be held on Sunday on The Nuclear Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 Powers, Regional Counter-terrorism and Counter-radicalisation Policies, Preventing State Failure: Humanitarian and Geopolitical Approaches and Regional Military Co-operation.

The forum ends with a fifth plenary session on Reflections on 10 years of Regional Security Changes.

High-profile participants at past Manama Dialogues have included former US defence secretary Chuck Hagel, UK Foreign Minister William Hague, King Abdullah of Jordan and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. - TradeArabia News Service