Bahrain is set to host a majorsecurity summit on Friday that will be attended by hundreds ofworld leaders, intelligence officers and military chiefs.

During the 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies(IISS) Regional Security Summit, dubbed as one of the Middle East'smost influential security conferences, experts will discuss globalsecurity, political and economic issues.

Delegates will also discuss on efforts to counter extremism inthe region, conflicts in Iraq, Syria and negotiations on theIranian nuclear program.

"In 2014, every single security and geopolitical challenge inthe Middle East has become worse," said IISS director-general andchief executive officer John Chipman.

"This 10th edition of the IISS Manama conference will bringtogether, at the highest level, all the key parties who are seekingto address the problems of extremist political violence, theconflicts in Iraq and Syria, negotiations on the Iranian nuclearprogram and all the other issues now preoccupying the region," hesaid.