His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Friday night sent a cable of condolence to French President Francois Hollande following the attacks in Paris. The Amir strongly condemned "these criminal acts of terrorism which run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values", and expressed sincere condolences over the large number of victims.

He reaffirmed Kuwait's solidarity with the French people and government, saying Kuwait supports all measures France might take to protect its security against terrorist acts. He also renewed Kuwait's commitment to the international campaign against all forms of terrorism. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also sent similar cables to Hollande.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem also strongly condemned the terrorist attacks. He sent a cable of condolence to the President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone to express profound grief over the tragic incidents and reaffirm full support to the people and government of friendly France. Ghanem said terrorism has become a global menace everywhere in the world, which requires a global collective effort to eradicate it. He wished those wounded in the multiple attacks quick recovery.

Meanwhile, a Kuwait Foreign Ministry official said Friday night that Kuwait followed, with profound concern and grief, the news of the despicable acts of terrorism which hit Paris. Such heinous acts can only strengthen the resolve of the friends in France to pursue their role in the fight against terrorism, the official said, reaffirming Kuwait's solidarity with France in all measures it might take to protect its security and stability.

Kuwait maintains its principled stance against all forms of terrorism whatever the sources or justifications might be, the official stressed. He expressed condolences to the grieving families and wished the wounded quick recovery. Kuwait Ambassador to France Sami Al-Suleiman urged all Kuwaiti nationals and students to remain vigilant for their safety and follow the instructions of the local authorities. The embassy is in touch with the competent authorities and keeps close watch on the developments of the situation, he added.

Separately, the French embassy yesterday said no changes have taken place in measures for issuing Schengen visas to Kuwaitis wishing to visit France. A Schengen visa is still issued in 48 hours, an embassy statement noted. France has tightened border security in the wake of the attacks that hit Paris late Friday. Yet, this does not lead to any change, not in the least, on the issuance of Schengen visas that are issued in two days' time, the statement said. Schengen visas that have been already issued are valid, the embassy said, noting that tightening security implies potential security inspection during travels among member states. French Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Nakhle also strongly denied banning Kuwaitis or people from other nationalities from entering France in the aftermath of the attacks. - Agencies