KUWAIT: The Higher Commission for Kuwaiti Nationality decided on Thursday to revoke the citizenship of 198 Kuwaitis, the Interior Ministry announced, but gave no reasons for the action and no details. The decision was taken during a meeting headed by Acting Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense and Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah. The decision becomes effective only after it is endorsed by the council of ministers, expected to be taken next week. In the past several months, Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of hundreds of citizens.

In another development, the Interior Ministry on Thursday launched a major search campaign in several areas during which 146 people, mostly expats, were arrested, at least 21 of them for living illegally in the country, the Interior Ministry said.

The campaign was launched simultaneously in Khaitan, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Farwaniya, Mahboula and Mutlaa, the Ministry said, in the biggest such campaign so far.

The ministry said in a statement that 146 people were arrested including 21 with expired residence permits, 32 for having no documents, 16 for absconding and the rest for being wanted by authorities and because of other reasons. Since the expiry of a three-month amnesty for illegal expats at the end of June, security authorities have launched scores of search campaigns, arresting hundreds of expats living illegally in the country. All these people have been deported.