KUWAIT: Cooperation amongst the civil, security and military bodies is vital for addressing the new challenges and safeguarding the country's internal security, said Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Lt-Gen Anwar Al-Barjas made the comments while inspecting the a joint drill by these bodies at Al-Erada Square, in Kuwait City, according to a statement by the MoI security media and public relations department on Sunday.

Al-Barjas, also the commander of the coordinative leadership for internal security protection, was accompanied by assistant undersecretary for traffic and operations Maj.-Gen. Jamal AlSayegh and some senior officials, it added. Al-Barjas lauded readiness for the drill and stressed the necessity of continued follow-up of the exercise programs to raise readiness of the units and bodies and communication.

He also extolled the efforts made by the Ministry of Defense in providing all forms of support for the success of the drill, according to the statement. Al-Barjas listened to a briefing on preparations, needs and equipment necessary to start the joint exercise under the umbrella of the Civil Defense Committee. Finally, he was briefed on the programs and mechanisms to implement scenarios and procedures, and unify concepts between the military and civil bodies to achieve integrated coordination of the participating parties and reach readiness for any emergency, it said.

Annual leave cash

In another development, the Electricity Ministry on Monday credited the accounts of 947 employees who cashed their annual leaves. "New batches will be credited daily until all the 10,900 employees who have requested to cash their leaves are paid. It is expected around 170 employees will be credited today," sources told Kuwait Times. Acting Undersecretary Mutlaq Al-Otaibi congratulated the employees who were paid, wishing them luck in their service for the ministry and the country.

Govt to increase pensions

Meanwhile, government sources assured there is no delay in increasing the pensions of retired people, which includes raising the minimum amount to KD 1,000. "The situation only requires the approval of the Cabinet, which preferred to postpone the official announcement until complete coordination with the parliamentary financial committee is done," sources revealed to Kuwait Times. "There are parliamentary calls to increase the minimum pension to KD 1,500. The increase could be announced before the turn of the new year as the finance ministry has concluded preparing the increase with the social security and the file has been submitted to the financial committee at the Cabinet for final approval," sources explained.