The countries of the Middle East have reacted cautiously to the US-led anti-terror campaign and with one exception have tried to distance themselves from military action. The exception is Turkey, the one NATO member in the region.
Arab and non-Arab Muslim countries prefer action to be taken under the auspices of the UN rather than by Washington and London. Governments have not committed troops to a military offensive as they did during the 1991 Gulf war. Several are prepared to permit the use of bases and other facilities on their territory.
The cautious tone has been set by Saudi Arabia, Washington's oldest and closest ally in the region.
Saudi Arabia has seven air bases, some hosting Western Peninsular Shield forces and US and UK air units taking part in the Southern Watch surveillance of Iraq. Riyadh will permit overflights by US transport and warplanes but not offensive operations from its air bases; may allow the US to use the state-of-the-art airbase at Kharj for command and control. Riyadh has not yet frozen the assets of persons or organisations accused by the US of terrorist connections.
Oman has three facilities used by Western forces, including a base on Masirah island storing 75 per cent of US air force pre- positioned equipment in the Gulf. Muscat has said it would not allow offensive action from its territory, claims the US has not asked for "additional facilities."
Kuwait stores prepositioned US equipment, plus air and naval attachments. Kuwait, liberated by the US-led coalition in 1991, can be expected to cooperate warily.
Bahrain hosts the US naval and Central Command headquarters in the Gulf. Manama said it has not been asked for "additional facilities".
Qatar is another site for prepositioned US equipment. Doha can be expected to permit the use of bases as long as this is low-profile.
Turkey hosts NATO headquarters, Allied Land Forces, South-eastern Europe and the Allied Tactical Air Arm. The Incirlik base is used by the US and the UK for Operation Northern Watch monitoring northern Iraq. Ankara can be expected to co-operate by allowing the use of facilities but has not committed forces.
Cyprus, the site of two British Sovereign Bases which are likely to play a role in military action, has offered overflight and landing rights at all the republic's civilian and military airports. Nicosia is co-operating on the financial level.
The following have no Western forces based on their territory and have pledged participation in non-military activities.
Yemen is co-operating on the intelligence and financial levels.
Somalia is providing intelligence. (There is the possibility that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaieda network has followers in areas outside government control.)
United Arab Emirates is not prepared to allow any offensive action from its territory but has closed down bank accounts of terrorist groups and individuals on the US list. Abu Dhabi is ready to co-operate on intelligence and diplomatic levels.
Iran has banned US overflights. Tehran is ready to join an anti-terrorist campaign if it is under the UN. Iran is hosting Afghan refugees and providing facilities for international assistance.
Iraq is out of the loop, US and UK aircraft are attacking Iraqi targets.
Syria is prepared to co-operate on the politico-diplomatic levels.
Lebanon is investigating suspect bank accounts and has expressed support for the anti-terror campaign.
Jordan is co-operating on the political, intelligence and financial levels.
The Palestine Authority is working to achieve a ceasefire with Israel. The Authority could provide intelligence on Palestinian members of al-Qaieda.
Egypt is not prepared to participate militarily or permit the use of its territory for offensive action but is co-operating on the political, intelligence and financial levels.
Sudan has transmitted to the US extensive files on Bin Laden who resided there from 1991-6 and is prepared to co-operate on the political and financial levels.
Libya has extended condolences to the US and could provide intelligence.
Tunisia will co-operate on the political, intelligence and financial levels.
Algeria, which is battling Afghanistan-returned Islamist insurgents, is co-operating by providing intelligence and closing down financial networks of terrorists and terrorist groups.
Morocco is co-operating on the political, intelligence and financial levels.
