"The status of the GCC-brokered deal is the same, but we have intensified efforts," said Saad A. Alammar, GCC's assistant secretary-general for political affairs. "The GCC ambassadors in Sanaa are on the ground talking to all factions, including the ruling party and the opposition groups."

There was a consensus among GCC leaders following a summit on Tuesday to step up measures to restore peace in Yemen. The move comes ahead of a planned rally in Sanaa on Friday. At least 140 people have been killed in a government crackdown on protesters in different parts of Yemen.

There is growing concern that a weakened government in Yemen would empower Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, whose self-proclaimed leader Nasser Al-Wahishi recently issued threats of a multi-generational fight against the government in the region.

Asked about the accession of Morocco and Jordan to the GCC grouping and the type of membership to be offered to these two countries, Alammar said: "The ministerial council, which is composed of foreign ministers of the six Gulf states, would discuss the modus operandi."

Membership being considered run the gambit of options, from observer status to full-fledged members. "Whatever the case, the membership of Jordan and Morocco would have a deep political, social, economic, security and defense impact," said a GCC official on condition of anonymity.

A statement released by the Moroccan Embassy in Riyadh said: "The Kingdom of Morocco welcomes the invitation by the GCC to join the organization as well as the GCC's request to open consultations with Morocco on this matter."

Jordan also thanked Gulf states for accepting the proposal. Of the two states, Jordan is more closely aligned due to its shared 700-km border with Saudi Arabia.

"Jordan looks forward to continue the dialogue in this respect between Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and the GCC foreign ministers with a view to ensuring the completion of requirements," Petra news agency quoted a government statement as saying.