GCC Defense Ministers stand by Bahrain

KUWAIT, Nov 9 (KUNA) -- The GCC joint defense council renewed support to Bahrain in the face of any threats targeting its security, safety and stability pursuant to the principles of collective defense and common target and destiny.
The session, chaired by Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, praised the wise policy adopted the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under King Hamad Bin Issa Al-Kalifa in tackling the numerous challenges, according to the final statement of the session issued here on Tuesday.
The ministers reviewed the threats and challenges facing the six GCC member states under the new developments with emphasis on the resent regrettable instability in Bahrain, it said.
GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Atiyyah reported to the ministers on the progress of joint defense and the new procedures and plans adopted since the eighth session in the domain of joint military projects.
The ministers probed the headway made by the Peninsula Shield Force in the fields of upgrading its combat efficacy and the levels of preparedness and joint training programs, the statement said.
After mulling the progress of the joint defense strategy adopted by the 30th GCC Summit in 2009, the ministers reaffirmed commitment to the common vision of the GCC leaders for realizing the targets of regional military integration and collective security.
They reached agreement on a range of recommendations which will be tabled to the coming GCC summit, due in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), next month, the statement pointed out.
The ministers expressed gratitude to His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his constant support to process of joint defense and to Sheikh Jaber for the efforts he made to ensure the success of the ninth session.
They thanked UAE Minister of Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al-Mansuri for inviting them, on behalf of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum to hold the tenth session of the joint defense council in the UAE next year. (pickup previous) nnd.abd.gb KUNA 092005 Nov 10NNNN