World Tribune.com

Blanchard

Gulf nations expand military force in face of Iraqi threat

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, August 8, 2001

ABU DHABI Ñ The Gulf Cooperation Council is reviewing an expansion of its regional military force.

Gulf defense sources said the six members of the GCC are awaiting a report by experts on proposals to link the communications and radar systems in the Arabian Peninsula. The plans also call for an increase in the regional force from the current 5,000 to at least 18,000 troops.

The sources said Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are pressing for an increase in the GCC force amid threats from Iraq. On Monday, Kuwaiti Defense Minister Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah said Iraq continues to be a menace in the region.

Over the weekend, two Iraqi fighter-jets violated the no-fly zone in southern Iraq near the Kuwaiti and Saudi border, U.S. officials said. The officials said the Iraqi warplanes Ñ in their third violation in about a month Ñ were examining the operations of a U.S. Predator unmanned air vehicle that was patrolling the no-fly zone.

Al Sabah said Kuwait plans to bolster security by increasing its military capability as well as forging agreements with foreign power. The minister said the GCC force would also be increased. But in an interview to the Kuwaiti A-Rai Al Aam daily the minister would not elaborate.

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