Government ministers from North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as the G8 group of industrialised nations, have been meeting in Morocco discussing a US-led initiative on the Middle East.
The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has been co-chairing the controversial meeting in the capital, Rabat, aimed at promoting economic and social reforms in the Arab and Muslim world.
Opening the meeting, Mr Powell said it was a long-term task, involving long-term commitment.
He also said the US did not want to impose changes on Arab nations and that they should set the pace of reform.
About 500 people gathered outside the Moroccan Parliament last night to protest against the Forum for the Future, saying that it is another form of US imperialism.
