SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- A host of Korean cultural events will be held in three Middle Eastern nations this week to promote friendship between the two sides, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The 8th Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan, hosted by the Korea-Arab Society, will tour Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon from this Friday through next Thursday, the ministry said in a press release.

This year's program showcases traditional Korean dance, a contemporary marionette show, and samples of Korean food.

Next Wednesday, the team plans to visit South Korean troops contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Tyre, Lebanon.

The friendship caravan is an annual event that has been held in the Middle East since 2008 to promote understanding and friendship between the region and South Korea.