A GCC police force will strengthen the security system and boost r capability to combat crimes and promote co-ordination among the security bodies, said a senior UAE government official.

Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa highlighted the need to study a proposal to set up a GCC police force on the lines of similar forces in Asia and Europe at the 30th GCC Interior Ministers' meeting, held under the chairmanship of UAE Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Lt Gen Shaikh Saif bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He referred to recent incidents targeting Bahrain's security and stability, specifically the blowing up of a minibus outside the British embassy and the smashing of a terror cell thereby foiling a plot to target vital facilities.

He thanked Qatari security authorities for their key role in helping uncover the terror cell stressing the need for GCC co-operation to maintain regional security.

'What has happened requires upgrading procedures through the security co-operation agreement signed by the GCC member states,' he said.

'Out of the kingdom's keenness to tackle the pitfalls of the recent incidents, there was a call for a national dialogue to achieve consensus and draw visions that better serve the national interest with the participation of all parties.

'Subsequently, a Royal order was issued to set up Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry comprising international experts. His Majesty also ordered the setting up of the National Compensation Fund to compensate eligible victims of recent incidents.

'All these steps were taken to boost security and stability in Bahrain and the region,' Shaikh Rashid pointed out.

He also spotlighted the repercussions of false information being spread by some misleading media outlets to distort the truth.

He urged the media to exert more efforts to unveil the truth, raise the youth's awareness and take proactive steps to ward off threats to security.

The GCC Interior Ministers gave their initial approval for the establishment of a GCC police agency - and a permanent GCC security committee.

They hailed His Majesty for setting up the National Commission in charge of implementing the inquiry commission's recommendations.

They welcomed the opening of the UN Anti-Terror Centre in New York following a proposal by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They also hailed Qatar's support to the GCC Anti-Narcotics Criminal Information Centre.

The ministers stressed the importance of GCC security and stability. 'Any threat targeting a member state amounts to a threat to the entire bloc,' they said in a final communique. – TradeArabia News Service