GCC STATES PLAN TIGHTER PORT SECURITY

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Gulf Cooperation Council states plan to improve portsecurity amid threats by Al Qaida. The six GCC states have been drafting regulations to increase securityaround ports and on ships in an effort to prevent them from being targets ofIslamic insurgents. The measures were in accordance with regulations draftedat the Safety of Life at Sea [Solas] Conference, held in December 2002.