Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has described the king’s proposal as one of the major achievements of the summit, adding that GCC leaders have welcomed the idea and set up a higher commission to study its various aspects.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa welcomed the Saudi king’s proposal and said his country would extend all support to make it a reality.

“GCC citizens are looking forward to greater unity and cooperation among their countries, based on justice, in order to boost their progress and prosperity as well as bolster their security and stability,” Sheikh Khaled said, adding such a union would act as a strong shield to confront all threats and challenges.

“I am very happy to see the GCC summit has adopted the king’s proposal and I am looking forward to the king’s vision about the GCC being implemented soon,” said Mohammed Tayeb, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s office in the Makkah province.

The Saudi official also said King Abdullah’s proposal reflected the hopes and aspirations of GCC citizens. “It’s also a wise reply to those who dreamed the Gulf region would be affected by the so-called Arab spring,” Tayeb told Arab News.

Meanwhile, a regular meeting of Bahrain’s Parliament on Tuesday commended King Abdullah’s proposal as a historic initiative, saying it would realize the hopes of GCC people to achieve greater unity and integration. “King Abdullah’s initiative comes at the right time,” said Khalifa Al-Dhahrani, speaker of the parliament.

Saudi and Gulf newspapers underscored the king’s historic proposal saying it reflected the demand of people in the Gulf streets. They said the king’s proposal would have tremendous impact at regional, Arab, Islamic and international levels. The proposal came at a time when the Arab world is facing political turmoil and bloody violence, undermining its security and stability.

Fahd Al-Sultan, secretary-general of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said the king’s proposal would strengthen the GCC economies and enhance the competitiveness of its private sector. “It will also bolster the GCC’s position at regional and international levels,” he added.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rubaish, president of Dammam University, said the king gave the proposal after carefully studying regional and international developments. “The proposal will make the GCC more effective and influential,” he added.