KUWAIT CITY, Jan 21: The Kuwaiti Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft decree-law on the fight against terrorism crimes, which comes as part of a national blueprint to overhaul the legislative system.

The legislation was okayed during a customary Cabinet meeting held at Bayan Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. It aims at protecting state security and community safety against terrorism risks and fighting terror finance and cutting off its sources by establishing updated legal mechanisms and deciding strict penalties. When this draft law was enacted, relevant international criteria and agreements were taken into consideration and the necessary equilibrium between national security requirements and constitutionally enshrined basic rights and freedoms was attained. Several state and judicial bodies partook in the writing of the draft decree-law, which comes in the context of Kuwait’s approach of strengthening its security and stability and overhauling its legislative system in a bid to address fresh security challenges. The bill was then referred to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah for final approval.

The Cabinet, further, consented to a draft decree-law amending some provisions of Law No. 20/2015 regarding national military service, and sent it to His Highness the Amir. In addition, the Cabinet approved another draft decree pertinent to the honoring of martyrs, putting the office of honoring martyrs and their families under the purview of the Defense Ministry. In this regard, the Cabinet mourned the death of the Ministry of Interior’s colonel Saud Nassar Al-Khamsan, who fell martyred while he was on duty. Also during the meeting, the Cabinet listened to a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah about the outcomes of his recent visit to the Italian capital, Rome, which focused on military and defensive cooperation between Kuwait and Italy. Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei kept the Cabinet posted on the results of his recent tour to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, which mainly discussed Gulf education cooperation.

In other news, the Cabinet, in its weekly meeting on Tuesday, welcomed the US President Donald Trump’s invitation to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah to contribute to the international efforts related to the Board of Peace. The Cabinet also welcomed the launch of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji in a statement following the meeting.

It hopes that this important step will help consolidate the truce and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Strip. It further welcomed the establishment of the Palestinian National Committee. The Cabinet expressed the State of Kuwait’s appreciation for President Trump’s role in achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for announcing the establishment of the Board of Peace. It also commended the international efforts exerted in this regard. The Cabinet reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s firm political and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people until they obtain all their rights.

Elsewhere, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed announced on Tuesday that President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed accepted the invitation from the United States to join the Peace Council regarding the Gaza Strip. Sheikh Abdullah stated that the decision reflects the UAE’s importance of moving forward with the implementation of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump regarding the Gaza Strip, which includes twenty points due to its pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people, reported Emirates News Agency (WAM). He also renewed the UAE’s affirmation towards achieving the goals of the Peace Council and to support efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation, consolidating stability, and achieving prosperity for all.

In Manama, the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace,” an international body tasked with overseeing regional stability and reconstruction. In an official statement, the Ministry underscored that Bahrain’s decision is rooted in its steadfast commitment to the comprehensive implementation of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip.

The Kingdom emphasized that its participation aims to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. King Hamad expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s mediation efforts, acknowledging the US administration’s role in advancing global and regional security.

The Ministry further voiced its optimism that the Board of Peace will serve as a vital mechanism for strengthening international cooperation, bolstering regional stability, and driving economic prosperity for all stakeholders. Egypt announced Wednesday its acceptance of an invitation from US President Donald Trump to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to join the Gaza Peace Council, affirming it will complete the relevant legal and constitutional procedures. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration renewed Egypt’s appreciation for the US president’s leadership and commitment to ending the war in Gaza and promoting security, peace, and stability in the Middle East.

Egypt expressed support for the Peace Council’s mandate within the second phase of the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.

The statement affirmed Egypt’s continued coordination with the United States and partners to consolidate the ceasefire, ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid delivery, deploy an international stabilization force, empower Gaza’s national administration committee, and launch early recovery projects ahead of reconstruction. Egypt also stressed the importance of advancing a path toward a just and lasting peace that fulfills the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, supporting security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region.(KUNA)