Bahrain and Saudi Arabia discussed the planned GCC union, already approved by GCC leaders at their 32nd summit in Riyadh last December, and examined measures on how best to implement the initiative.

This came as His Majesty King Hamad met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the sidelines of Al Janadriya cultural and heritage festival.

The blueprint will be submitted to the GCC consultative summit in Riyadh in May.

'Bahrain has always been looking forward to establishment of the Arabian Gulf Union - amid mounting challenges - to promote sustained development benefiting people and their aspirations,' His Majesty said as he arrived to attend the festival at the invitation of King Abdullah.

He urged all Gulf leaders, elites and people to ponder the Saudi call for a GCC union with deep insight, hailing the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia - being the largest GCC member and a strategic pillar.

His Majesty hailed the festival as 'a cultural event attracting thinkers, intellectuals, researchers, writers and poets, thus reflecting authentic Saudi civilisation, culture and heritage.'

He watched the 38th annual camel race held as part of the festival and then joined King Abdullah, Saudi princes, ministers and guests in performing Maghreb prayers.

His Majesty also attended a dinner banquet hosted by the Saudi monarch in honour of guests attending the festival.

He later returned to Bahrain. – TradeArabia News Service