KUWAIT CITY, Dec 23: The Salmi and Nuwaiseeb borders were opened for several hours for stranded travelers as an exceptional case. Two flights arrived today and the third flight was cancelled and Kuwait shut its ports completely to implement the decision of the Council of Ministers until Jan 1st. 

The official spokesperson for the government, Tariq Al-Muzrim, denied revoking the decision to suspend flights and close the land and sea ports, stating that the decision by the council of ministers is still in effect.

Around 550 Kuwaiti citizens entered through Salmi and Nuwaisib borders and land ports were re-closed with orders  that the ports would be closed and no travelers were allowed to enter across the land borders until further notice, reports Al Rai. The sources reported that the Ministry of Interior informed the Saudi side of the ports not to allow any Kuwaiti travelers to cross.

The closure decision left more than 300 passengers stranded at Dubai airport, of whom 130 are Kuwaitis, most of whom are male and female students studying in the United Arab Emirates.

Kuwaiti citizen Abdullah Al-Mutawa said on a telephone call that there are many Kuwaiti students and families who have been sleeping on the grounds of Dubai International Airport for two days, after their flights were canceled.

The DGCA sources stated that two flights arrived carrying stranded Kuwaiti citizens from several countries. The flight which was scheduled to arrive from Beirut on Thursday morning was cancelled and the airport was closed. The cargo planes carrying medical supplies and goods were excluded from this ban.

The Kuwait embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the Kuwaiti land borders are closed in compliance with the decision of the Council of Ministers, and called on citizens to contact them by phone when assistance is needed.