Faster, fairer tenders ahead - Cabinet rejects threats to Gulf, Red Sea navigation

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 9: Kuwait’s Cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Law No. 49 of 2016 on public tenders. The amendment aims to simplify procedures, address difficulties and challenges arising from practical application, and enhance the flexibility of relevant authorities in dealing with actual circumstances that serve the public interest and ensure that public tender procedures are carried out with speed, efficiency, transparency and fairness. This came during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Maousherji made the following statement: The Cabinet strongly condemned and denounced the repeated Iranian attacks involving missiles and hostile drones that targeted several locations in Kuwait, including a residential complex last week, in a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a direct threat to its security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.

It described the attacks as a grave breach of international law and the UN Charter, an explicit violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability and undermining diplomatic efforts aimed at deescalation. The Cabinet reaffirmed Kuwait’s full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security and interests, and defend its territory and vital installations against any aggression or threat, based on its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and the rules of international law.

The Cabinet also strongly condemned and denounced attacks by the Houthi militia targeting civilian and economic facilities in several cities in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in dozens of civilians, including women and children, being injured. It described the attacks as a flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents, and a breach of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as a dangerous and unjustified escalation that could undermine regional security and stability.

The Cabinet further condemned the continued targeting by the Houthi militia of commercial vessels in the Red Sea, describing such attacks as a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation, global energy supplies and international trade. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. In this context, the Cabinet strongly condemned and denounced the Iranian attack on the Saudi tanker “Sidr” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in fatalities among the tanker’s crew last week. It described the attack as a flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies.

The Cabinet stressed the need for an immediate halt to all escalatory actions and compliance with international law governing freedom of navigation. It affirmed Kuwait’s rejection of any attack on the security and safety of maritime navigation and renewed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and interests. The Cabinet also strongly condemned and denounced the Iranian attacks against Bahrain last week, describing them as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a clear breach of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. It stressed the need to halt such escalatory practices, prioritize de-escalation and dialogue, and adhere to international law and the principles of good-neighborliness in a manner that safeguards regional security and stability and prevents further tensions and escalation. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with Bahrain and support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.

The Cabinet likewise strongly condemned and denounced the continued Iranian attacks targeting Jordan with missiles, the latest of which occurred early Wednesday. It described the attacks as a flagrant violation of Jordan’s sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. It stressed the need to halt these attacks, prioritize de-escalation and dialogue, and adhere to international law to preserve regional security and stability and prevent further tensions and escalation. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with Jordan and support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its security and stability.

On another front, the Cabinet heard a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on the latest regional developments and current military developments, considering the Iranian attacks against Kuwait last week. He affirmed the readiness of the Armed Forces and their continued performance of their duties and responsibilities with efficiency and competence. The Cabinet also heard a briefing from Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic missions abroad to keep pace with the latest developments on the regional and international arenas. In this regard, the Foreign Minister briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his meeting with Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Limpho Tau last week during the latter’s official visit to Kuwait.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields. The Foreign Minister also briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which they reviewed bilateral cooperation and ways to develop it, as well as the latest regional developments and efforts to enhance security and stability in the region. The Cabinet also reviewed a number of items on its agenda, along with reports and minutes of ministerial committees, and approved them. It also decided to refer several items to the competent ministerial committees for study and submission of appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures required for their implementation (KUNA)