SAUDI ARABIA: King Abdullah calls on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to work together as a "single entity" to improve regional security

Record ID: 188880

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: King Abdullah calls on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to work together as a "single entity" to improve regional security
  • Date: 21st December 2011
  • Summary: CROWD CLAPPING RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (DECEMBER 20, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KING ABDULLAH AND MEETING ATTENDEES MEN LEAVING ROOM EXTERIOR OF GCC CONFERENCE VENUE FLAGS OF GCC MEMBER STATES
  • Embargoed: 5th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: International Relations,Royalty,Politics,Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVAE9XG8V2NVEQLD904MHAZOZYFE
  • Story Text: King Abdullah said the security of Saudi Arabia and its Arab neighbours was being targeted, in an apparent reference to regional rival Iran, and called for Gulf Arab states to close ranks in a "single entity" at an annual Gulf meeting on Tuesday (December 20).
    The two-day Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting comes a week after Iran's Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi held talks in Riyadh to try to calm rising tensions across the Gulf.
    Bahrain, the Gulf nation worst hit by protests this year, has accused Iran of backing a revolt among its Shi'ite Muslim majority that called for democratic change, while Saudi Arabia has accused Tehran of plotting to assassinate its ambassador in the United States.
    The six members of the GCC opposed the popular protests that ousted the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia, but they helped negotiate a power transition in Yemen and backed measures against both Syria and Libya for their violent reaction to unrest.
    Of the GCC members, only Bahrain and Oman suffered major protests. Saudi Arabia, the largest GCC country by size and population, distributed $110 billion in social benefits that helped it ward off protests except among its Shi'ite minority.
    The turmoil that hit the Middle East in 2011 also heightened oil prices, raising revenues for most Gulf states.
    The GCC agreed an aid package for both Oman and Bahrain following the spring's demonstrations but the money has not yet been paid.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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