Looming threats from Iran, Iraq focuses Gulf states on military unity

Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council, faced with threats from Iran and Iraq, has promoted military unity.

The Peninsula Shield Force sent troops to quell the 2011 uprising in Bahrain.

Officials said Saudi Arabia was pushing a proposal to merge parts of the militaries of the six GCC states. They said the states have already achieved a high degree of military coordination, particularly in building a defense infrastructure.

“The military integration is key to Gulf leaders,” GCC secretary-general Abdul Latif Al Zayani said.

Officials said GCC defense ministers also approved proposals for the expansion of the regional Peninsula Shield force as well as joint ballistic missile defense.

“There will be new steps to bolster our ranks, increase cooperation and organize a cohesive force capable of confronting the challenges and risks that we face,” Bahraini Defense Minister Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said.

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Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Gulf Cooperation Council, Iraq focuses Gulf states on military unity, Looming threats from Iran, Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Peninsula Shield

Looming threats from Iran, Iraq focuses Gulf states on military unity added by World Tribune on December 18, 2013
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