Bahrain protests Iran criticism of GCC union plans

Bahrain has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to protest at what it called "gross violation of its sovereignty" in a new diplomatic row after Tehran criticized efforts by Gulf Arab states to forge closer political and military union.

Arab heads of state met in Riyadh on Monday to discuss a call by Saudi King Abdullah to unite the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to counter Iran's growing influence in the Middle East, but failed to agree on further integration. Talks on the matter are to resume later this year. (Reuters)