JERUSALEM, Israel - President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will represent Israel next week at a United Nations-sponsored interfaith conference.

The "Dialogue of Civilizations" conference, scheduled for November 11-13, grew from the Madrid Interfaith Conference in July, initiated by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah.

Attendees at next week's conference include such high-profile figures as outgoing President George W. Bush, Spain's King Juan Carlos, Saudi King Abdullah, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Jordan's King Abdullah, and Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Peres and Livni would like to bring Jewish, Muslim and Orthodox Christian leaders from Israel to the conference.

Peres and Livni are enthusiastic about rubbing shoulders with dignitaries attending the meeting, including those from Arab nations that have no diplomatic ties with Israel.

"There is no need for us to be in conflict with any other country," Peres said. "We will make peace with anyone who wants to make peace with us," he said.

A few days after the conference, Israel's octogenarian president will be off to London for an official state visit.

Source: The Jerusalem Post