GCC is vital for stability of the Middle East

 A UAE newspaper has said that greater Gulf Cooperation Council unity will bring more stability to the Middle East in these troubled times. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who is leading the country's delegation to the summit in Manama, has spoken of tolerance and the spirit of brotherhood to bind the group.

In an editorial on Wednesday, Khaleej Times said, "There is so much in common between the six GCC countries. Economic and military cooperation have increased over the years. Unity is even more important in these difficult time when states like Iran and terrorist groups like Daesh and Al Qaeda are active in the Gulf, trying to sow seeds of discord and stoking sectarian hatred."

The paper went on to say, "The world has been gripped by the worst violence since World War II. Syria has turned into a large killing field with troops loyal to President Assad facing rebels and terrorists of different hues on the other.

"The Russians, Iranians and Hezbollah are there to lend support and rain misery on innocent people. There appears to be no end in sight as the United States under President Obama has looked the other way, disengaging from the region and leaving civilians to face bullets from both sides.

"Millions have left the region for Europe, while others die of starvation. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels are backed by Tehran and troops loyal to former president Saleh. A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been trying to dislodge the rebels who have taken over the country. There's an evil hand, a dangerous nexus in the region, with Iran playing a major role. Russia is replacing, or is keen to oust the United States. It is the main backer of despicable regimes that lend their weight to instability, that crush dissent and suppress freedoms. This GCC meet is, therefore, important for the six countries to deepen military, social, economic and political ties.

"This calls for more involvement and commitment to forge a solid front against extremism and state-supported terror, while continuing to focus on development goals for the region," concluded the paper.