Doha Forum
Inside Story

What first for the Arab world?

Should democracy or development be the top priority for Middle Eastern leaders?

undefined
Arab leaders confront the challenge of corruption as
they grapple with democracy and devlopment

A forum in the Qatari capital Doha, debates which should be the top priority, wealth or political reform and what hurdles stand in the way.
 

This year the three-day conference covers topics ranging from international peace to global security.
Also on the agenda is democracy and development in the Arab world.
 
Many Middle Eastern leaders at the conference are left with the question of which of those two should come first.

And as these leaders grapple with determining which issue is more pressing, they have to confront another challenge, that of corruption.

Allies such as the US urge countries to democratise.
But domestically, governments feel the need to push development to provide their citizens with more opportunities.
 
Inside Story, with presenter Hashem Ahelbarra, discusses what should come first: Democracy or development.


This episode of Inside Story aired on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 17:30 GMT
 


To contact us click on ‘Send your feedback’ at the top of the page

Watch Al Jazeera English programmes on YouTube

Join our debates on the Your Views page