BAHRAIN EXAMINES ROLE IN PROTECTING IRAQI WATERS

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Bahrain has agreed to help protect Iraqi waters in thenorthern Persian Gulf. Western diplomatic sources said the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom wasapproached by Iraq and the United States to help contribute naval vessels tomonitor and protect Iraqi waterways from Al Qaida-inspired insurgencyattacks as well as smugglers. Bahrain has hosted the U.S. Fifth Fleet,responsible for the Persian Gulf and surrounding region.