Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has planned a unified military force that consists of 100,000 soldiers.

Officials said Saudi Arabia has drafted a plan for a unified military command for the six GCC states to counter the threat from neighboring Iran.

The officials said the command, based in Saudi Arabia, would lead a regional military equipped with the most modern combat assets in the GCC.

“This unified force would consist of 100,000 officers and staff,” Saudi National Guard Minister Prince Mitab said.

Mitab, commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, did not provide details of the new GCC force. The current Peninsula Shield force, used to quell the Shi’ite revolt in Bahrain, has reached a strength of 40,000.

“The unified command is a significant step above Peninsula Shield,” an official said.

Officials said the unified military command, approved during the GCC
summit on Dec. 11 in Kuwait, would require units from all six militaries.

They acknowledged reservations by Oman and Qatar, which could hamper plans
to appoint a command structure in 2014.

Mitab said SANG could participate in the expanded GCC force, expected to
be commanded by a Saudi. Over the last two years, SANG has acquired attack
helicopters and was awaiting fighter-jets from the United States.

“The Saudi National Guard is ready to participate in the unified GCC
force,” Mitab said.

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