Saudi-Bahraini ‘union’: "A long awaited dream!"

'Referendum in Manama'

"During a sermon last week at Bahrain’s Grand Mosque, the pro-government prayer leader offered sweeping praise for one of the Arab Spring’s counter-revolutions: Gulf rulers bonding together against dissent with powerful Saudi Arabia as their main guardian...

...“Gulf union is a long-awaited dream,’’ said Sheik Fareed al-Meftah at Friday prayers in Manama’s main Sunni mosque, referring to proposals to coordinate defense affairs and other policies among the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council stretching from Kuwait to Oman.

“The first step is here,’’ al-Meftah added.

Abdullah and Bahrain’s king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, have met to discuss “union’’ plans, which are expected to be outlined in May. For the moment, few details have emerged. Gulf leaders have stressed the need for greater intelligence and military cooperation. It’s unclear, however, how deeply Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will attempt to merge in the first steps..."