WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Four Gulf Arab states have been deemed as among the worst human traffickers in the world.

The United States has determined that Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia tolerate what the State Department termed involuntary servitude, or slavery. The four Gulf Cooperation Council states could face U.S. sanctions unless they improve their record by September 2005.

The State Department said Saudi Arabia has failed to outlaw human trafficking or protect domestic workers. The kingdom also ignored the lion's share of complaints by foreign workers.

"Saudi Arabia lacks laws criminalizing