US military chief visits Gulf, to urge restraint

The top US military officer arrived in the turbulent Gulf region on Sunday for a week-long visit to underscore US strategic ties with allies challenged by protest movements sweeping the Arab world.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. He will also stop in Djibouti, where demonstrators inspired by revolts that toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia have clashed with riot police. (Reuters)