Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expected to seek union

The decision is part of efforts to increase integration within the Gulf Cooperation Council, as the organization’s six nations worry about Iran’s power in the region and the presence of Al-Qaeda after the Arab uprisings.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain might initially seek closer union, local media have said, as both share a concern about discontent among Shiite Muslims against their ruling Sunni dynasties, and accuse Iran of fomenting it – a charge it denies.

Saudi security forces entered Bahrain in March 2011 before a crackdown on pro-democracy protests against the Al-Khalifa monarchy, a U.S. ally.