GCC NIXES PENINSULA SHIELD FORCE FOR IRAQ

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- The Gulf Cooperation Council has nixed the prospect ofsending its regional military force to Iraq. GCC officials said the six-member alliance agreed that Peninsula Shieldwould not be deployed in Iraq to help the U.S.-led coalition stabilize thatcountry. The officials said the GCC would maintain its policy of keepingPeninsula Shield for protection of member states.