The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations hold a crucial meeting here on Dec. 19 and 20 to discuss further economic and political alignment and developments in the region. Colorful flags of the six nations could be seen fluttering from the lampposts in Riyadh Friday as preparations continued for the major gathering, the 32nd session of the Supreme Council of the GCC. A source at Riyadh Mayoralty said there were 600 flags and 400 welcoming billboards and banners fixed onto bridges and tunnels. Saudi Arabia, the economic and political powerhouse of the region, is set to continue to play a significant role in the discussions. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Friday that the Kingdom's Council of Ministers has undertaken a number of measures to support decisions of the GCC's Supreme Council. This includes measures covering security, law, environment, agriculture, military, transport, labor, education, customs, electricity, nuclear non-proliferation and combating of the illegal narcotics trade. The Kingdom has also worked toward the political and economic union of the six nations, including plans to set up a regional central bank, common currency and a single parliament. Recently, the Kingdom helped resolve the impasse in Yemen; and played a significant role in talks on Yemen's possible membership of some GCC institutions. __
