GCC PERSPECTIVES

The increasing attention being paid to area - as opposed to regional - interests by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation (GCC) is reflected in Saudi Arabia's current low-key involvement in the problems of Lebanon. Previously, the kingdom was active in many levels and in various directions over the situation in Lebanon. More recently, there has been a noticeable diminution of Saudi efforts in the affairs of Lebanon, although that should not be taken as a lessening of " Saudi Arabian interest there. The present thrust of the kingdom's concerns, however, along with its five partner states in the GCC, is closer to home. More particularly, the Iran- Iraq war intrudes more and more into the GCC's scheme of things, dictating an unwelcome course of events and threatening a fearful interruption to the GCC's policies and programmes.