Protesters against the G8 summit hold makeshift lanterns during a candlelight vigil. US President Bush plans to twist the arm of his trailing European partners to enact long-sought reforms and boost growth. Photo by AFP
US President George W Bush opened the annual Group of Eight (G8) summit, hailing the unanimous passing of a new UN resolution on Iraq hours earlier. The summit is taking place amid tight security, with thousands of troops and police virtually sealing the island. The three-day talks are expected to be dominated by Iraq, democratic reforms in the Middle East and debt relief for poorer nations. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have turned down the president's invitation to attend the summit, apparently suspicious of Bush's plan to promote democracy in the Middle East.