Gulf Cooperation Council Summit Closes In Manama, Bahrain

Leaders from Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states attend the closing ceremony for the 33rd GCC Summit in Manama, Dec. 25, 2012. GCC leaders on Tuesday stressed the importance to move toward a Gulf Union and the development of a “common defense system” to deal with any threats in the region, saying that any threat on any of the six oil rich Gulf States is regarded as a threat to all.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed al-Khalifa answers questions during a press conference for the 33rd Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Summit, which was concluded on Tuesday, in Manama, Dec. 25, 2012. <Xinhua/BNA>