FACTBOX-Players and issues before OIC summit in Turkey

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Turkey hosts a meeting of Islamic countries on Monday to discuss trade and assess the impact of the global economic crisis but the goals will likely be overshadowed by the presence of the leaders of Sudan and Iran.

Here are some of the players who will attend the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) gathering in Istanbul and some of the issues in the region and in Turkey.

SUDANESE PRESIDENT OMAR HASSAN AL-BASHIR

Even before touching down in Istanbul, Bashir's plans to attend the summit have already caused a row between Turkey and the European Union which Ankara seeks to join. Turkey's President Abdullah Gul accused the bloc of interfering" after Brussels asked Turkey to drop Bashir from the guest list. Bashir has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Ankara has not ratified the statute that established the ICC and has said it has no plans to arrest him. Analysts say Bashir's visit is more about business than political affinity. Turkish firms are seeking contracts in Sudan for construction, power and energy.

IRAN'S PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

Western powers are considering international sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme. Ahmadinejad might use the OIC summit as an opportunity to break attempts by the international community to isolate Tehran in the nuclear row. The anti-American president often rails against Israel and the West and could use the OIC as a platform to give another fiery speech. Erdogan, who has called Ahmadinejad a friend, has accused the West of "arrogance" towards Iran and has backed Iran's assertions its nucler programme is for civilian use. With his visit, Ahmadinejad, who has praised Turkey for its "clear stance against Israel", will add to concerns Turkey is redirecting its foreign policy emphasis away from the West.

PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER SALAM FAYYAD

Fayyad's planned visit would come after an announcement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas not to run for re-election in January, expressing disappointment with the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama for "favouring" Israel in arguments over re-launching peace talks. Israel and the United States rely on Abbas as their partner in the diplomatic drive for a Middle East peace treaty. Abbas' departure would be a fresh blow to the peace process, which has been stuck for a year and shows now sign of advancing. The annoucement could be a tactic, but Washington and its Western allies make little secret of their admiration for Fayyad.

AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI

Karzai was re-elected this week following a fraud-marred ballot in which his opponent, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from a run-off vote scheduled for Nov 7. Afghanistan's election authorities declared him the winner, even though more than a quarter of the votes cast for him in the first round on Aug 20 were nullified by a U.N.-backed fraud investigation. The tainted election has damaged his standing among the Western countries with troops fighting in Afghanistan at a time when Obama is considering a request from his commander for tens of thousands of additional troops.