Former Saudi intelligence chief urges stronger GCC unity

<article data-history-node-id="442779" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/former-saudi-intelligence-chief-urges-stronger-gcc-unity" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/former-saudi-intelligence-chief-urges-stronger-gcc-unity" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Former Saudi intelligence chief urges stronger GCC unity</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's former intelligence chief and ambassador, has called on Gulf states to establish a joint defence network capable of responding collectively to threats against member countries.</p> <p>Writing in Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday, he said the Gulf Cooperation Council had faced repeated challenges and should "stand together like a solid, fortified structure" to strengthen regional security.</p> <p>Turki also called on Iran to abandon what he characterised as ambitions for regional dominance and to end support for groups including Hezbollah and the Houthis.</p> <p>At the same time, he urged Israel to halt what he described as its "bloody brutality" and the seizure of Arab lands.</p> <p>He further argued that Western countries should stop providing what he called diplomatic and military backing that shields Israel from accountability.</p> </div> </div> </article>