US President Barack Obama hailed on Friday the success of a summit held the day before with six Gulf leaders in his Camp David compound, saying that the aim of the meeting was to “deepen and broaden” the “excellent relationship” between Washington and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) allies, he told Al Arabiya News Channel. “The intentions here were to deepen and broaden what is already an excellent relationship between the GCC countries and the United States,” Obama told Al Arabiya's Washington correspondent Nadia Bilbassy. On Iran, which many Gulf countries see as a regional threat, Obama said that plans had been made for “joint capabilities to address destabilizing activities and conflicts in the region, some of these are related to concerns surrounding Iran.” On the forthcoming Iranian nuclear deal, brokered between six world powers – including the United States – and Iran, Obama sought to allay fears from Gulf allies that the agreement would weaken their own security. Reckless republic “The United States has been very clear that a nuclear armed Iran will potently be reckless and dangerous. So it is in everyone's interest to ensure Iran does not have nuclear weapons and provide a pathway for Iran to engage in positive behavior,” Obama said. The United States will also hold more joint military exercises with the GCC states, he added. Obama also discussed his relationship with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, and the late King Abdullah. “We have extraordinary respect for his majesty and his leadership. I had a great relationship with King Abdullah who is deeply missed.” He also praised Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior. “Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif has been a partner with us on counterterrorism work and security work for many years. This is the first time we had a chance to work close with deputy crown prince and he struck as extremely knowledgeable, very smart and beyond his years. — Al Arabiya
