Gulf state leaders meet in Kuwait

Leaders from the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar --have gathered in Kuwait for the GCC's annual summit.

The summit is expected to focus on regional security and economic cooperation, including establishing a military communications system and harmonising customs tarriffs.

Members are also expected to discuss improving relations with Iran, which hosted the Islamic summit earlier this month.

Also on the agenda is relations with Iraq; some countries Qatar and Oman favour improved ties while others Kuwait, Saudi Arabia insist on Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service