A unified GCC police force to tackle crime and deter new threats was approved by their interior ministers last night, said a report.

The GCCPOL would be similar to Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency that handles criminal intelligence and deals with serious organised crime, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

This was agreed during the 32nd GCC Interior Ministers meeting in Bahrain.

"A working group of interior ministers has been assigned to review the organisational, financial and administrative aspects of the project," said GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani.

He said the GCC police will expand co-operation between security authorities in the region.

Dr Al Zayani said the ministers also approved procedures to be taken against Hizbollah interests in the Gulf.

"The ministers have a full understanding of the security threats facing the Gulf and the importance of co-operation in addressing them," he said.

The ministers also agreed to hold annual meetings and were briefed on Qatar's efforts to fight drug addiction and trafficking in the region, through the Anti-Narcotic Information Centre in Doha.-TradeArabia News Service