US vows to stand by GCC over meddling by Tehran

Camp David — President Barack Obama opened a summit with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies on Thursday, seeking to convince them of Washington’s commitment to their security despite deep concern among Arab leaders about US efforts to broker a nuclear deal with Iran.
Hosting the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council for a rare summit at the Camp David presidential retreat, Obama faced the challenge of allaying their fears of US disengagement at a time of Middle East upheaval while also pressing the Gulf states to work together in their own defence.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, led the UAE delegation to the summit.
Welcoming the GCC leaders and representatives to the summit, President Obama said the summit reflects the joint desire to enhance strategic cooperation between the United States and the GCC countries.
The White House said later it was open to the idea of granting its GCC partners major non-Nato ally status.
But talks at the Camp David summit have been focused more on public assurances about help the US can provide with security, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said.
He said Obama updated the Gulf leaders on international efforts to forge a nuclear deal with Iran.
Rhodes said the US would welcome support from Gulf countries for the deal, which many Arab leaders are concerned would empower Iran to work in destabilising ways in the region.
He said Obama sought to assure the Gulf leaders that the US won’t ease up pressure on Iran over its meddling in the region, even if there’s an agreement to halt the Islamic Republic’s nuclear weapons programme.
Asked about the potential for a nuclear arms race, Rhodes said none of the Gulf countries present had given indications they would pursue a nuclear programme that would raise concerns. Tension over US policy towards Tehran, Syria’s civil war and the Arab Spring uprisings would loom over the meetings.
White House officials have said there would be no formal defence treaty, as some Gulf leaders sought, and that the summit was likely to produce more modest announcements on integrating ballistic missile defence systems, easing weapons deliveries and increasing joint military exercises. — Agencies
After flying in by helicopter, Obama and the Gulf leaders sat at a long, rectangular table inside Camp David’s cabin-like conference centre for the first of three work sessions during the one-day summit. — Agencies

• MENA