IRAQ - GCC Bracing For Sunni-Shi'ite Violence.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef ibn Abdul-Aziz al-Saud on Nov. 12 said: "Iraq now constitutes the main base of terrorists", adding that the six Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states would adopt a united strategy to deal with events in the war-torn country. He said: "The condition in Iraq is changing day by day, posing multiple dangers for the region. We are living this situation and doing everything possible". Of particular concern to the GCC is the spread of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Arab groups.

Prince Nayef was speaking to reporters in Riyadh before leaving for Abu Dhabi to attend a meeting of GCC interior ministers. Prince Nayef said terrorism - being practiced mainly by Neo-Salafis, who notably include Wahhabi radicals from Saudi Arabia - was to figure high on the agenda of the meeting. This was one of several meetings to prepare for a summit conference of the GCC heads of state to be held in December. Prince Nayef said some agencies were taking young Saudis to Iraq and using them as "explosives", adding: "I mean they are being used to carry out explosions... These [Saudi] youths go to Jordan and Syria...and then sneak into Iraq. They will never be able to do that through our borders". Speaking about his meeting with Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi in Makkah, Prince Nayef said it was a cordial encounter and not for any particular issue.

Prince Nayef said the trial of suspects involved in terrorist attacks across the kingdom would start soon. He called for greater security co-operation among the six GCC states, adding: "We have to act like one agency in dealing with security matters". He said the GCC secretariat was conducting a study on thoughts and ideas that promote terrorism and how to deal with them. The Abu Dhabi meeting will also discuss ways of facilitating travel of GCC citizens between the member countries.

Saudi Arabia is to press ahead with construction of a 900-km security fence to seal its border with Iraq to stop the infiltration of Neo-Salafi militants and illegal immigrants, according to Prince Nayef. Describing Iraq as "the main base for terrorism" in the region, Prince Nayef said the border fence was "essential" to protect the security of the kingdom, the world's largest oil producer and a country whose oil facilities have been targeted for attack by al-Qaeda.

Prince Nayef said: "I expect work will begin on the border fence next year. All of Iraq's neighbours are suffering...from what is happening there. International forces are fighting a vicious war against terrorist groups and to prevent a sectarian war between Sunnis and Shi'ite, they cannot control the border". The fence is expected to cost $500m to build and take five-six years to complete.