Zayyani takes up his duties as the new Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Saturday as Abdul Rahman Al-Atiya comes to the end of his term of service. Al-Zayyani finds himself before a series of significant political, security and economic challenges as he assumes his new role in the midst of protests and demonstrations across the Arab World. Gulf diplomatic sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that Al-Zayyani, who has considerable military, security and political experience, will help significantly in improving the performance of the GCC and achieve “Gulf integration” in all fields. “The upcoming phase differs from the previous period, given the changes being seen in the Arab region which require a different approach for strategies to face the crises,” the sources said. “Strengthening security and stability and support for the security, political and defense progress of the GCC will be a focal point for Al-Zayyani.” The sources highlighted GCC-Iranian relations as prominent among Al-Zayyani's immediate concerns. “The GCC countries are asking Iran to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of GCC nations,” they said. “Trust needs to be built between those countries and it doesn't require threatening tones.” Another issue of significance for the new secretary general will be the strengthening of military cooperation between GCC states and laying down a plan to improve joint military work and support the defense strategy for GCC states. Departing secretary general Abdul Rahman Al-Atiya, meanwhile, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that he hoped that Al-Zayyani would “meet the aspirations of the leaderships of the GCC nations and continue the council's achievements”. “The upcoming period will require a lot of practical action to handle the situations and changes facing the region,” he said. His successor Al-Zayyani is the first Bahraini to hold the post since the GCC was founded in 1981. He has been for the last six years President of General Security in Bahrain.
