GCC to boost defense in face of new threats

Defense ministers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council held a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and decided to strengthen the group's joint defense systems in the face of increasing threats to member countries. The ministers discussed the challenges being faced by navigation in the Arabian Gulf, Oman Sea and Red Sea and what must be done to ensure marine security. They decided to set up a GCC marine security coordination center in Manama. “They emphasized the need to build a joint defense system by integrating and developing defense systems of GCC armed forces,” said an official statement carried by the SPA. “This is the realistic option before the GCC to protect its security, stability, sovereignty and resources,” the statement added. The six countries will continue their discussions on establishing a joint naval force, the ministers said. They are also thinking of acquiring joint early warning systems to confront ballistic missiles. The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Prince Salman, reviewed military cooperation and joint defense and looked into the proposals made by the higher military committee and adopted necessary resolutions, the statement said. The ministers were happy over the performance of Peninsula Shield Force, a joint force of GCC states, in protecting some of the vital installations in Bahrain and reiterated their solidarity with Manama to defend its independence and sovereignty. The ministers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the UAE reviewed the achievements in terms of setting up joint military communication systems and emphasized the need to strengthen the efficiency of such systems. Earlier, addressing the conference, Prince Salman noted Prince Sultan's contributions to strengthen the Saudi and GCC forces. He invited the ministers to Saudi Arabia for the next meeting.