Reports noted that Defence Ministers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held a meeting in Abu Dhabi on November 22, and decided to strengthen the Council’s joint defence systems in the face of increasing threats to its member countries. In the meeting, the Ministers discussed the challenges being faced by navigation in the Arabian Gulf, Oman Sea and Red Sea and the measures to ensure marine security. They decided to set up a GCC marine security coordination centre in Manama, Bahrain. According to an official statement, “They emphasized the need to build a joint defence system by integrating and developing defence systems of GCC armed forces. This is the realistic option before the GCC to protect its security, stability, sovereignty and resources.” According to the Ministers, the Council will continue their discussions on establishing a joint naval force and are also thinking of acquiring joint early warning systems to confront ballistic missiles. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction over the performance of Peninsula Shield Force, a joint force of GCC, in protecting some of the vital installations in Bahrain and reiterated their solidarity with Manama to defend its independence and sovereignty.1

• 1. “GCC to boost defense in face of new threats”, Arab News, November 23, 2011, at http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article537501.ece