GCC ready to confront dangers

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense yesterday emphasized the readiness of GCC military forces to confront the dangers facing their countries. Addressing a meeting of GCC defense ministers, Prince Salman said: “Our meeting aims at strengthening GCC armed forces to confront the dangers that face the member states.” Prince Salman welcomed the ministers on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, supreme commander of the Saudi armed forces. The ministers congratulated King Abdullah on the success of a back surgery he underwent at King Abdul Aziz Medical City recently. Addressing the meeting, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa of Bahrain thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to ensure the stability of GCC countries. “I would like to welcome you all for our next meeting in Manama,” the Bahraini minister said, adding that all GCC countries should work together to achieve their common interests and objectives. Speaking at the meeting, GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani emphasized the importance of joint military action by the member countries in the light of changing developments in the region. “It reflects the farsightedness of our leaders. They had taken a number of resolutions to strengthen military cooperation.” During the last summit, he said the GCC leaders adopted a decision to establish a joint military command and develop the Peninsula Shield forces and strengthen defense integration. “These are strategic requirements to set up an effective defense infrastructure for GCC countries,” the GCC chief said. He commended the ministers for their efforts to strengthen GCC military cooperation. The meeting appointed Maj. Gen. Mubarak Saeed Al-Khayarin of Qatar assistant GCC secretary-general for military affairs for three years effective from April 2013. From : Arabnews