Believers in the Gulf

In an address to the "Middle East: Homeland and Global Security Forum" in the Bahraini capital of Manama, Al Attiyah said the GCC has rejected any war with Iran. At the same time, the secretary-general called on Iran to honor United Nations Security Council resolutions to end uranium enrichment.

"We in the GCC reject the escalation by any of the parties involved in the crisis to the level of military confrontation because of the ensuing disasters," Al Attiyah said. "We have also repeatedly called upon Iran to dissipate the doubts and concerns of the international community about its intentions regarding its nuclear program."

Good luck with that one !

The security forum has been attended by 500 officials and analysts. The conference has discussed nuclear plant and energy security, weapons proliferation and maritime security.

Al Attiyah defended civilian nuclear programs held under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The GCC has launched an initiative to examine the feasibility of nuclear energy and research.

"The introduction of the military nuclear factor into the region would trigger a new arms escalation and additional threats in the Arabian Gulf," Al Attiyah said. "International powers have vested interests and serious responsibilities in consolidating peace and stability in the region, and with the passage of time, Gulf and international security have become closely intertwined. However, the introduction of nuclear weapons in the region by any of the powers would mean a new arms race."

Still, the GCC has been divided over military cooperation to counter the Iranian threat. Saudi Arabia, ahead of the GCC summit in December, has urged its colleagues to bolster defense capabilities and pool assets to enhance regional security.

"In view of the global importance of the Middle East, which is living in unstable conditions and faces many internal and external threats, efforts must be exerted to combat these threats through serious cooperation and dialogue," Bahraini Interior Minister Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said.

"This meeting of experts makes it possible to showcase various security experiences and find a way to apply them in the field."

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Fearing Iran, Saudis buy more jet fighters

NICOSIA — Saudi Arabia, concerned over the Iranian threat, has been examining the prospect of ordering another batch of Eurofighter aircraft from BAE Systems.

Nearly two months after concluding an $8.9 billion purchase, Riyad has been negotiating another order of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. Under the proposed deal, BAE would sell 24 Typhoons to the Royal Saudi Air Force.

The Middle East Economic Digest said Saudi Arabia was discussing the procurement of 24 Eurofighters in a deal reported to be worth more than $3 billion. In September, Riyad ordered 72 Typhoons as part of an effort to modernize the kingdom's fighter-jet fleet.

"The kingdom is set to decommission a number of aircraft and is thinking about a possible order for 24 more Eurofighters," a Saudi government adviser told MEED.

The adviser said the Saudi Air Force required fourth-generation aircraft to counter the military buildup of neighboring Iran. He said Eurofighter appeared to be the most suitable platform for another Saudi aircraft order.

"There is a need for new aircraft given the situation in the region, particularly the issue of Iran," the adviser said.

Officials said Riyad has been considering both the French-origin Rafale and the U.S.-origin F-15S. But the adviser was quoted as saying the Saudi kingdom favored the Eurofighter.

Industry sources said the Saudi Eurofighter would be equipped with a French-origin navigation and targeting pod. Saudi Arabia also plans to acquire 30 Damocles pods for the upgrade of its Tornada fighter-jet fleet. Damocles has been manufactured by the Paris-based Thales.

Under the deal, Thales would subcontract pod component assembly to the Saudi firm Advanced Electronics Co. The United Arab Emirates has also purchased Damocles.

In contrast, the pod for the Eurofighter fleet in the British Royal Air Force has been identified as the Israeli-origin Litening-3. Litening-3 has been produced by the state-owned Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority.

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Kuwait plans response to Iran missile strike resulting from U.S. attack

ABU DHABI — Kuwait has drafted a security plan to counter any attack by Iran.

Officials said the plan envisions an Iranian missile strike on Kuwait in any war with the United States. Kuwait contains at least 15,000 U.S. soldiers as well as the logistics infrastructure for operations throughout the Gulf.

"The situation in the region is boiling, which requires setting plans to protect the homeland against any danger," Kuwaiti Interior Minister Jaber Khaled Al Sabah said.

Kuwait, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, has been the most vocal of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states in opposing Iran's nuclear program. The sheikdom has increased security in wake of the recent capture of an Iranian boat that contained communications interception equipment and was stationed off the coast of Kuwait.

"Kuwait is in the heart of these situations," Jaber said on Nov. 13. "Violating the the sanctity of Kuwaiti territory will not be allowed."

Jaber, a former chief of staff, did not outline the security plan. But he suggested that Iran could try to invade Kuwait as Iraq did in 1990. Half of Kuwait's population was said to comprise of Shi'ites.

"History serves as a base for security," Jaber said.