THE Archbishop of Canterbury will fly to the Gulf next week for a seminar between Christian and Muslim scholars.

But although it takes place in Qatar, just a few miles from coalition headquarters, Dr Rowan Williams will not visit military personnel or British troops.

Dr Williams spoke out against war with Iraq before he was enthroned as archbishop but recently pledged support for the troops.

He has also written to military chaplains saying they "stand in a long and honourable tradition of Christians bearing witness to the love of Christ in hard and dangerous places".

The Building Bridges seminar, which was initiated by former Archbishop Dr George Carey in 2002 at Lambeth Palace, was always scheduled for April 7 to 9.

Lambeth Palace spokeswoman Sarah Williams said there were no plans to reschedule or hold the talks elsewhere despite the war.

"Safety is a concern for all the delegates not just the Archbishop of Canterbury," she said.

Around 30 scholars will attend the meeting which is being hosted by the Amir of Qatar. They will discuss scripture in the two faiths.