Saudi King Abdullah I has called for the formation of an Arab Union that would dominate the Middle East - is this Israel's future adversary?
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia formally called for the formation of a Gulf Union on a backdrop of regional unrest and growing tensions with rival Iran.
"I ask today that we move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union within a single entity," Abdullah said during his address at the opening session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council conference in Riyadh. "You must realize that our security and stability are threatened and we need to live up to our responsibilities," said King Abdullah.
"Our summit opens in the shadow of challenges that require vigilance and a united stance," he added.
The GCC -- comprised of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates -- was formed in 1981 as a security alliance to counter post-revolution Iran. While Abdullah did not speak directly to the nature such a union might take, the six-member GCC has been openly discussing transforming their alliance into a unified diplomatic and military confederation for months now.
Last week GCC officials revealed they were making the inclusion of Egypt - the region's most populous and militarily powerful Arab country - a priority. The GCC nations have technically been at war with Israel since 1948, raising uncomfortable questions about the future of Israel's treaties with Egypt and Jordan should those nations join.
Earlier this year Saudi Crown Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud said, should Iran obtain nuclear weapons, that Riyadh would seek them as well. Such a move would place the potentially nuclear armed Arab super-state on all of Israel's borders.
