Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Conveys Strong Dismay at Lebanese Minister’s Words

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber added that minister Amin Salam’s statement coincided with the third anniversary of the painful anniversary of the Beirut port bombing that inflicted a large number of casualties, destruction of vital government facilities namely the silos, construction of which had been funded by Kuwait in 1969 through a loan by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Sheikh Salem stated further, “the State of Kuwait boasts a historic record of supporting sisterly and brotherly peoples and states, however it emphatically rejects any intervention in its decision making and domestic affairs.” Accordingly, he urged the Lebanese minister to withdraw the statement out of keenness on maintaining bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon on Saturday urged Kuwaiti citizens in Lebanon to steer clear of “disturbance areas”, calling on them to keep low profile. The embassy, in a press release, advised Kuwaitis to stay away from “sites of security disturbances” in some areas in Lebanon and to follow relevant guidelines issued by concerned local authorities. It, further, asked them not to hesitate to call it in case of emergency.

In another development, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Saturday that Kuwait has been assisting brothers in Lebanon throughout decades. This came in a statement made by Mikati following a remark by Lebanese Minister of Trade and Economy Amin Salam on rebuilding wheat silos at Beirut’s port and his call for Kuwait and His Highness the Amir for help. Mikati affirmed the deep-rooted relations between Lebanon and Kuwait, and their peoples.

Moreover, the premier reiterated that Lebanon respects the principle of not interfering into domestic affairs of all countries. He indicated that Kuwait takes decisions in line with constitutional, legal and institutional standards that show a deep-rooted political civilization in Kuwaiti society. Mikati commissioned Saturday Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib to communicate with Arab brothers to reassure them about the safety of their nationals in Lebanon.

In a statement issued by Mekati’s media office, the premier followed up with Bou Habib and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi on the developments related to the “warning statements” issued by the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Germany for their nationals in Lebanon. In added that available information reached after discussing with the military and security leaders revealed that the “overall security situation in general does not call for concern or panic”. It noted that the political and security contacts on addressing the events of Ain al-Hilweh camp of Palestinian refugees made progress.

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