MANAMA: Arab foreign ministers of the Gulf monarchies are to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday in Manama, gripped by protests in which six people have been killed, Bahrain's foreign ministry said.

"The Gulf Cooperation Council states are expected to announce their support for the (Bahraini) government in security, defence and politically," said a ministry spokesman.

The GCC groups Bahrain with Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.