Manama, Nov 29 (IANS): Gulf countries have agreed to set up a unified regional security force aimed at deterring crime and threats to their states.

The decision to launch GCC-POL was taken during a meeting of the interior ministers from the six Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) in Manama, Xinhua reported.

During the 32nd GCC interior minister meeting held in this Baharain capital city Thursday, the ministers reviewed regional security matters and cooperation.

The announcement comes just a week after neighbouring Iran made a deal with world powers on its nuclear programme, which many of its neighbours question.

The GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani announced the ministers agreed to establish a GCC police force.

"A working group of interior ministers have been assigned to review the organisational, financial and administrative aspects of the project," he said.

The GCC police will reinforce and expand cooperation between security authorities in the region, he added.