RIYADH: Six new security partnership initiatives have been announced following the Gulf-US Summit. They are training and joint military exercises, exchange of intelligence information, an early warning ballistics system, US-Gulf joint military maneuvers in March next year and new initiatives to improve information security and naval cooperation.

The White House announced details of the strategic partnership that came out of President Barack Obama’s visit to Riyadh. It focused on five main issues: Realizing stability in the region and defeating Daesh, security cooperation, economic and energy cooperation, partnerships to reduce nuclear energy and humanitarian assistance.

Obama emphasized that the US would protect its interests in the Gulf region, as well as the interests of its allies against any attack.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, said the GCC’s position sends a clear message that it is capable of defending its interests and gains and take active steps to fend off any security threat.