Cabinet clears path for private developers

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 3: Kuwait’s Cabinet approved on Tuesday a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Law No. 27 of 1995 on private sector participation in developing state-owned vacant land for housing purposes. The proposed amendments aim to allow the transfer of part of the land allocated by the State to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare to certain state entities, in line with the public interest, while enabling private sector participation in developing state-owned vacant land. During its weekly meeting, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet referred the draft decree-law to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for approval.

In a statement following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Maousherji said the Cabinet strongly condemned the attack on the liquefied natural gas tanker Al-Mayeda, belonging to Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat), while sailing through the Arabian Gulf. The Cabinet denounced the attack, stressing its categorical rejection of acts that pose a serious threat to maritime security and the safety of global energy supplies. It called for the circumstances of the incident to be fully investigated and those responsible held accountable, while reaffirming Kuwait’s full solidarity with Qatar and support for all measures taken to protect its security, interests, facilities and property. The Cabinet was also briefed by Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on a phone call he received last Thursday from Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud.

The two ministers reviewed defense ties and the latest regional developments, affirming their countries’ solidarity in addressing challenges and threats to their security and stability. Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet on the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Foreign Ministry and Kuwait’s diplomatic missions abroad to follow regional and international developments. In this context, he said the Foreign Ministry, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan, had summoned Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounji last Wednesday and handed him a protest note over a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy on October 28.

The statement constituted blatant interference in Kuwait’s internal affairs and an infringement on its sovereignty and the independence of its judicial authority, in clear violation of international laws and norms, the Cabinet was told. Kuwait reiterated its rejection and strong condemnation of any interference in rulings issued by its national courts, stressing the need for Iran to abide by international law, the UN Charter, the principles of good-neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, as well as the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Cabinet also heard a briefing on the Foreign Minister’s official visit to Riyadh last Wednesday and his meetings with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammad Al-Saud, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. During the meetings, Sheikh Jarrah reiterated Kuwait’s condemnation of Houthi attacks against several areas in Saudi Arabia and attempts to target Makkah and Madinah.

He described the attacks as a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty and international and humanitarian law, as well as an assault on the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and an affront to Muslims worldwide. He warned that the continued and repeated attacks, including those targeting civilian objects and vital facilities, constituted a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to Saudi security and regional stability, in addition to posing serious risks to civilians and air navigation. He called for a firm international stance to ensure those responsible were held accountable, reaffirming Kuwait’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.

The minister stressed that Saudi Arabia’s security was an integral part of Kuwait’s and the GCC states’ security. The meetings also reviewed the deep-rooted historical and fraternal ties between the two countries and peoples, and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination across various fields. The sides exchanged views on regional developments and their implications for security and stability, emphasizing the importance of continued consultation and joint efforts to address current challenges.

The cabinet was further briefed on two phone calls received by the Foreign Minister in recent days from Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister, Minister of International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdelatty. The calls addressed the latest regional developments and underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation between Kuwait and the two brotherly countries to support joint efforts toward regional security and stability. The cabinet reviewed a number of other agenda items, reports and ministerial committee minutes, approving several and referring others to the relevant ministerial committees for further study and recommendations. (KUNA)