THE GCC plans to create a replacement for the Peninsula Shield Force, Kuwait's National Security Council chief Shaikh Ahmed Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah revealed yesterday. He said the GCC options would always be unified just as they were when leaders declared the establishment of a common market at the Doha Summit. Shaikh Ahmed, who is in the kingdom to take part in the Manama Dialogue, said the sudden decision of Iran to stay away from the event made every body wonder about the reasons, though reports indicated it wanted to take part with a high-level delegation. He rejected reports of Kuwait's military deals with the US running into billions of dollars, but stressed that the GCC states had the right to enhance defence capabilities.
THE GCC plans to create a replacement for the Peninsula Shield Force, Kuwait's National Security Council chief Shaikh Ahmed Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah revealed yesterday. He said the GCC options would always be unified just as they were when leaders declared the establishment of a common market at the Doha Summit. Shaikh Ahmed, who is in the kingdom to take part in the Manama Dialogue, said the sudden decision of Iran to stay away from the event made every body wonder about the reasons, though reports indicated it wanted to take part with a high-level delegation. He rejected reports of Kuwait's military deals with the US running into billions of dollars, but stressed that the GCC states had the right to enhance defence capabilities.
Links reviewed
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday met German State Minister for European Affairs Gunter Gloser. They reviewed ways of developing bilateral relations in economic and trade areas and discussed the situation in the Gulf region, lauding efforts to reinforce security and stability. Shaikh Khalid also met India's national security adviser M K Narayan and discussed Bahrain-Indian ties including a number of bilateral agreements and the need to activate them.
