KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti cabinet yesterday urged the Kuwaiti people to recall the "bitterness of injustice and tyranny" they experienced during the 1990 Iraqi Invasion, to take lessons from the occasion and further preserve the security and stability of the nation.
During its weekly meeting held at the Bayan Palace, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah two days before the 27th anniversary of the heinous crime, the cabinet recollected the bitter and harsh memories of the savage invasion that took place in the early hours of August 2, 1990, said cabinet Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Roudhan.
Hundreds of Kuwaitis, and also from friendly and sister countries, were martyred and many others have been missing during the invasion. The cabinet referred to the huge devastation and sabotage afflicted on Kuwait at the hands of the intemperate invaders, besides the numbers of people who went homeless.
The ministers called to mind, with pride, the sincere efforts and sacrifices generously offered by His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the His Highness late Father Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah and all Kuwaiti people to face the treacherous aggression, and preserve the dignity of their nation. The cabinet highly appreciated the honorable stances of friendly and sister countries that supported the Kuwaiti legitimacy and rights, Roudhan added.
Inspired by lessons of the invasion, Kuwaitis are urged to join forces to enhance national unity, and to proceed with building the present and the future of the dear nation, carrying on with the march of their ancestors. The cabinet prayed Allah Almighty to perpetually bless Kuwait with security and stability under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Amir's efforts
At the onset of today's customary meeting, the cabinet welcomed praise by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt of the sincere efforts lavished by His Highness the Amir to solve the Gulf row, according to a statement issued after a meeting of foreign ministers of the four countries in Manama on Sunday. His Highness the Amir's positive endeavors to heal the rift among the "brothers" reflect keenness on the Arab and the Gulf unity.
The ministers hoped that His Highness the Amir's efforts would help contain the differences and reaffirm the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and peoples, Secretary General Roudhan noted. Meanwhile, the cabinet approved a recommendation by its economic affairs committee on the symbolic prices for the housing welfare lots of land in South Khaitan, block 3 and 4; KD 15,000 ($49,600) for each lot.
It tasked the Public Authority for Housing Welfare with taking the relevant measures. A beneficiary will only be free to cede, exchange of sell a plot of land after 10 years. Then, the cabinet asked the Touristic Enterprises Company to submit a quarterly report on the measures and steps taken for the implementation of affiliate projects, and the challenges they face.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Reviewing the political developments on the Arab and international scenes, the cabinet voiced relief over the end of Al-Aqsa Mosque crisis, and the reopening of the complex gates, removing all restrictions previously set by the Israelis. The cabinet lauded the efforts exerted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and stressed the significance of the Arab coordination in that respect. It also highlighted the Palestinian brothers' steadfastness and defense of Al-Aqsa and all Islamic holy places.
The ministers reiterated Kuwait's stance in support of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation, urging the international community to work on an end to the Israeli practices and plans, and to maintain the identity of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.
In the meantime, the cabinet expressed Kuwait' strong condemnation of the missile attack by the Yemeni Houthi militia and the forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, targeting Makkah. Attacking Makkah for a second time shows how the Houthis insist on aggression and disregard of the holy sites, the cabinet stressed.
The attack also demonstrates anew that the Houthis are unserious about responding to the ongoing international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen peacefully. The cabinet lauded Saudi Arabia's great efforts to serve the holy sites and pilgrims. By the same token, the ministers voiced Kuwait's strong condemnation of the "terrorist" attack that targeted a security patrol in the Saudi Qatif Governorate Sunday, which left a security man dead and six others injured.
The cabinet reaffirmed Kuwait's support to the Kingdom and all the measures Riyadh may take to maintain the country's security and stability. It also reiterated Kuwait's initial and firm stance that rejects all forms of violence and terrorism, offering condolences to the victim's family.
Undersecretary
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Faleh Al-Azab said that the cabinet approved a draft decree appointing Ali Fahad Al-Adwani as Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Assembly Affairs.
The cabinet also consented to a draft decree choosing Sheikh Firas Saoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah as Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Assembly Affairs, Azb said after the meeting. The cabinet further approved a draft decree appointing Masoud Mohammed Abdullah Al-Fuhaid as Deputy Director General of the General Authority for Minors Affairs, he added. - KUNA