New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday ahead of meetings at UN headquarters on religion and peace that the opportunity it would provide for Arab and Israeli leaders to meet was "quite unique."

Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tipzi Livni were to find themselves in one room if not at the same table for dinner Tuesday with Ban.

Ban refused to tell reporters whether those dignitaries were to sit at the same table, saying he could not reveal protocol matters.

"They are going to sit down for dinner," Ban said without providing details. He called the event "quite encouraging and positive."

"I hope this kind of participation and social diplomatic gathering will promote further understanding of religion and create the atmosphere favourable for the resolution of political issues," Ban said.

Close to 70 government delegations will meet Wednesday and Thursday in the UN General Assembly for talks on the "promotion of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation of peace."

The UN prefers the short title "Culture of Peace" to describe the aims of the meetings.

In addition the presidents of the United States, the Philippines, Israel, Finland, Pakistan and Lebanon, and the prime ministers of Britain, Qatar, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Egypt were to attend. Delegations from other governments will be headed by foreign ministers or ambassadors.

The Vatican sent Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Inter- religious Dialogue Council.

US President George W Bush will attend meetings on Thursday. He delivered his last address as US president to the UN General Assembly in September.

The UN has invited all 192 UN member countries to attend the debate on religion and peace, issues that do not attract great attendance. The list of attendees lacked important representatives of Buddhism and Hinduism.

UN and governments involved in the debate have wanted to bring more understanding among cultures and religions of the world in order to resolve political and armed conflicts. (dpa)