Unlike previous population conferences, a wide range of interests from grassroots to government level were represented in Cairo.

The establishment led a popular campaign inveighing against the population conference, describing its agenda as blasphemous to Islam.

The population conference is to address a number of issues considered sensitive or offensive in much of the Islamic world, including abortion and adolescent sexuality.

The Vatican withheld its assent to the conclusions of both previous population conferences.

The other was a global shift since the previous population conference, held in Mexico City in 1984.

In a reversal from the last population conference, 10 years ago, the current draft does not explicitly rule out abortion as a woman's right.

This conference is very different from previous population conferences.

The gunmen, who escaped, were believed to be members of the Islamic Group, which has stepped up attacks before the population conference opens.

He also explained why he had joined in criticizing the message brought to Cairo by the population conference.

The Vatican, as it did at the 1974 and 1984 population conferences, is expected to register its reservations rather than approving the document.