Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Saudi Arabia’s chief of General Staff, Gen Salih al-Muhayya called on Gulf States to consider incorporating the methodology that enabled neighboring countries to succeed in developing and producing advanced weaponry (an indirect reference to Iran).

The Saudi chief of General Staff was critical of his GCC counterparts, stating that they are currently acting as spectators without seeking to catch up.

Chairing the fifth meeting of the Higher Military Committee of the Gulf States chiefs of staff earlier this week, General Al-Muhayya underlined that the security of the Gulf States and the protection of its wealth, assets and vital interests can only be secured through a unified strategy and consolidation of military cooperation among the six GCC States. In the same vein, he stressed the need to activate the Joint Peninsula Shield force to become effective.

General Al-Muhayya criticized the failure of GCC States in complying with Article Eight of the Joint Defense Agreement, which states that “the GCC member States give importance to the establishment and development of a military industrial base, and encouragement of the private sector to invest in this field to meet their basic needs of ammunition and equipment.”

Referring to the Gulf States’ intention to enhance the private sector’s role in military industries as outlined in the provisions of Article Eight, General Al-Muhayya emphasized that Gulf leaders are keen to turn the wheel of production, adding that “We have to act and activate that article according to a well- studied plan and effective recommendations.”

The GGC chiefs of staff ended their two-day meeting yesterday.