Kuwaiti Defence Minister Calls for Collective Efforts to Protect Regional Security

KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaking at the ninth meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Defence Council, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, called on the member nations to commit to the Peninsula Shield Force to prepare for military challenges facing the Arabian Gulf nations.

Sheikh Jaber, the host of the conference of the six countries that in addition to Kuwait include Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), told his fellow ministers that the conference would give priority to the security of the GCC against external threats because "contiguous vigilance" and a uniform military strategy was imperative.

In his address, Sheikh Jaber said the terrorists and sabotage acts in the region, coupled with military confrontations in neighboring and nearby countries and the unstable conditions surrounding the Gulf countries require "our collective regimes and to develop them to honor our supreme strategic objectives in a drive to guarantee the security and prosperity of the Gulf countries."

Sheikh Jaber extended an invitation to GCC countries to send "symbolic military units" of the countries that participated in the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait, and to take part in February's celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait.

Among other issues discussed at the conference were continuing GCC cooperation on defence issues, the importance of applying the defence strategy to the GCC countries, and a satisfaction in the progress of GCC military cooperation and joint defence. The Council also renewed its support of Bahrain in the face of any threats to its security, safety and stability.

The GCC defense ministers expressed gratitude to His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his constant support of the process of joint defence and to Sheikh Jaber for his efforts to ensure the success of the ninth session.

The outcome of the conference will be referred to the GCC summit held in Abu Dhabi, UAE early next month. The next session of the Joint Defence Council will be in the UAE next year.

This has been issued by Al Madar. For more information, visit http://www.almadar-kw.com/

SOURCE Al Madar