Gulf states reaches out to Egypt, Jordan to replace Qatar in alliance

Gulf states reaches out to Egypt, Jordan to replace Qatar in alliance 

GeoStrategy direct w/e 16-Apr-14 

Egypt and Jordan have been invited to join the Gulf Cooperation Council's military which has faced divisions over responding to Iran. 

Diplomatic sources said several GCC states supported expansion of Peninsula Shield to non-member states. They said the most likely candidates to the GCC military were Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. 

Peninsula Shield forces arrive in Bahrain to help quell anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.  AP/Ammar Rasool 

"It is clear to most members that Peninsula Shield requires support from other Arab states," a diplomat said. 

On April 1, Bahrain's parliament advanced legislation to invite Egypt and Jordan to Peninsula Shield. The bill, referred to parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee, would require the approval of Bahrain's Cabinet as well as King Hamad. 

"There are political issues that are related to the formation of the GCC, and we have nothing against the idea in principle," Bahraini State Minister for Parliament Abdul Aziz Al Fadhel said. "But it has to go to the parliamentary committee for feedback." 

The sources said the Bahraini proposal was backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But they acknowledged that participation by Egypt and Jordan could take years. 

"Morocco could also join at a later stage, but it is too far away to be regarded as a priority," the source said. 

Bahrain has also approved proposals to standardize security in the six GCC states. But a security cooperation agreement signed by GCC leaders was rejected by Kuwait's parliament. 

"Legislation [to approve the GCC security pact] was referred to constitutional experts for a thorough review," Kuwaiti parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Hamdan Al Azmi said. 

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates was said to be considering the realignment of the GCC amid the crisis with Qatar. 

"This council will not be a substitute for the Gulf Cooperation Council, as it would be primarily of a military nature to form a coherent Arab force that responds to any harm against the aforementioned countries," UAE security chief Gen. Dahi Khalfan said. 

In an interview with CNN Arabic on April 4, Khalfan, regarded as the sounding board for the UAE leadership, said the UAE would join Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for a military alliance. He said the Gulf council would be bolstered by Egypt and Jordan, with militaries based on U.S.-origin combat platforms. 

Last month, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar, accused of supporting the banned Muslim Brotherhood and Hizbullah. Since then, Khalfan has asserted that Qatar was actually part of the UAE. 

"Gulf cooperation will continue if Qatar tries to cause some trouble," Khalfan said. 

Regional diplomats said Khalfan's proposal reflected an assessment by Abu Dhabi and Riyad that Qatar would move closer to Iran, deemed the leading regional threat. They said this could end efforts to expand and enhance the GCC's Peninsula Shield as well as integrate such capabilities as ballistic missile defense. 

"The assessment is that Qatar would no longer be included in Gulf Arab defense, with Oman and even Kuwait playing a marginal role," a diplomat said. 

For his part, Khalfan, who predicted the GCC crackdown on the Brotherhood, said Egypt was needed to bolster Gulf Arab defense. He said Egypt, with the largest military in the Arab League, would play a major role in exercises and training. 

"The militaries of the countries that will make up the strategic council will conduct joint exercises to raise its readiness," Khalfan said. "We are seeking security and stability to defend ourselves."