Gulf Arabs fear new militant generation in Iraq

RIYADH, May 21 (Reuters) Gulf Arab countries have agreed to step up security cooperation to confront a new generation of militants spawned in the ''fertile ground'' of Iraq.

''The basis of a security agreement has been arranged and it can be renewed if circumstances require,'' Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz said in comments carried on the official Saudi news agency SPA today.

Prince Nayef, who last month announced the arrest of 172 suspected militants, said Saudi Arabia had deported five men to Kuwait who had been detained in Medina for distributing militant propaganda tapes.

Addressing interior ministers of the six US-allied Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries yesterday, Prince Nayef said Iraq represented a security threat for the whole region.

''The security situation in Iraq is deteriorating and terrorism is growing there. Iraq has become fertile ground for creating a new generation of terrorists learning and practising all forms of murder and destruction,'' he said.

''The lax security situation in Iraq bears great dangers for our region and stability ... in our countries.'' Iraq has long been asking for Arab countries to do more to secure borders and prevent militants arriving in Iraq.

Islamist militants swearing allegiance to al Qaeda have been fighting US forces and the U.S.-allied Iraqi government since 2003 when the United States invaded the country and toppled the government of Saddam Hussein.

The GCC -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates -- comprises the world's major oil and gas producers. They are close allies of the United States who they allow to maintain a large military presence in the region.

Saudi authorities said the suspects arrested last month had tried to bring arms and militants from Iraq.

Saudi officials say about 144 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, and 120 militants have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003, when al Qaeda suicide bombers hit three Western housing compounds in Riyadh.

As the largest Gulf Arab country with a population of 24 million and home to Islam's holiest shrines, Saudi Arabia has been the main target of militant activity in the Gulf. But Kuwait and Qatar have also seen attacks.

REUTERS RJ KP1616