Egypt, Saudi Arabia Lead Push for Joint Arab Force

The 22-member Arab League is meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh this weekend to talk about forming a joint Arab military alliance.

Arab foreign ministers met ahead of the weekend summit, issuing an agreement Thursday calling on the Arab League to report back within a month with details on implementing the plan.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are leading the effort aimed at creating a 40,000-strong ground force backed by air and navy forces.

It would be headquartered in Riyadh or Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently spoke about the need to form an Arab force, saying the Egyptian military is prepared to support its Gulf Arab allies.

"The resolution sends a clear message that Arab nations can agree on a plan to defend themselves," Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby told reporters in Sharm el-Sheikh Thursday.

Some analysts say regional and religious rivalries could prevent the leaders from reaching an agreement.