In pictures: conference against racism

The World Conference Against Racism has opened in the South African city of Durban despite difficulties which threatened to derail it.

The conference has been dogged by the issue of the Middle East, with Western states scaling down their delegations in protest at perceived pro-Palestinian bias.

Zulu drums got the conference off to a dramatic start but its effectiveness as a forum is in doubt as Western heads stay away

Initial attempts to equate Zionism with racism caused fury in the West

Mrs Robinson has worked to soften the conference's strong tone on Israel

Mr Annan told the conference that Palestinians were not the only people with a sense of injustice

The issue of compensation for slavery has also upset the US Government

South African opposition groups turned out to publicise their own concerns, such as land redistribution

Security was high for the event but it opened peacefully