KUWAIT CITY, Feb 2, (KUNA): His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Muba-rak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed hope that the government and upcoming parliament would be bound with “positive relationship.”
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, interviewed by the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper on the occasion of parliamentary elections that took place Thursday, expressed hope that past files of disputes would be folded.
“We look forward to extending a hand of cooperation, sincere intentions and mutual cooperation to make up for what has been missed for sake of future of Kuwait and its people so it may enjoy permanent spring,” HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said.
HH the Prime Minister affirmed government keenness on abiding by the National Constitution, maintaining the state of law, justice and equality, transparent action, respecting rights and freedoms of citizens, human rights and combating corruption. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, who took over the premiership office at critical times when the government of his predecessor, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, stepped down, was asked how he viewed future of the country while he was overseeing the electoral process. “I am optimistic that the coming phase will witness positive change in the relationship between the two authorities and this would serve Kuwait’s interests,” he said.
Asked whether he was concerned at possible higher influence of the opposition in the parliament, HH the Prime Minister said the state and people of the country should respect results of the elections. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak affirmed that Kuwaiti citizens, in the elections, are guided by national duties, without any external influence.
“We will not let Kuwait be transformed into an arena for foreign struggles and our citizens are deeply faithful to their homeland and will stand in the face of such outside intervention,” he stressed.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said in case HH the Amir re-named him as the prime minister of the new government, he would seek to bolster the state of laws and institutions, maintain equality and justice among citizens, boost transparency in administration, combat corruption, maintain public funds and bolster national unity.
His Highness the prime minister vowed anew that he would seek to bolster the relationship of cooperation between the two authorities for sake of strengthening democracy. In response to a question whether he would stand against what was dubbed as “the corrupt media,” Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said, “We are proud of the high ceiling of the freedom of expression which has been guaranteed by the Kuwaiti Constitution.
“We have never pondered prospect of limiting freedoms of the freedom of expression ... responsibilities warrant that we set priorities and enhance the responsible freedom and take stringent legal action against who may try to threaten our national unity, strength of the internal front, the social fabric, maintain peoples’ dignity and ban defamation and deterioration of the level of dialogue.”
“We will not allow factionalism or tribalism or sectarianism to affect our national unity and integration of our society, also we will not allow doubting faithfulness of any citizens of Kuwait and our criteria will be efficiency, devotion, perseverance and giving.”
On Saudi Arabia’s call to establish “confederation” among the GCC states, HH the Prime Minister affirmed that Kuwait would cooperate with the other member states of the council in this respect. “We will not be at odds with the other states of council regarding results of the joint commission that would be formed for this task.”
On ties with neighboring Iraq, HH the Prime Minister expressed hope to establish full cooperation with Baghdad on various issues of dissension. Regarding Iran, the prime minister expressed opposition to possible military strikes on the nation, but expressed hope that Tehran would cooperate with the international community regarding its nuclear file.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior  Sheikk Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday said today’s democratic festivity (elections 2012) embodies the positive cohesiveness between the people and the political leadership, which does not hesitate to support axioms of democracy and respect of law.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud expressed, during a tour of ballot centers accompanied by a number of senior ministry officials, his content for the smooth flow of electoral process, stressing the ministry’s keenness in harnessing all facilities for elderly voters and those with special needs.
He said that cooperation of all voters with the security bodies inside or outside the electoral committees reflects responsibility and awareness of the Kuwait voter as well as his or her fruitful cooperation with means to ensure comfort of the security personnel in the various electoral process. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud later met a number of voters who expressed their appreciation for the facilities rendered by the Interior Ministry  during today’s elections.