High Committee Formed to Demarcate Contested Borders Between Iraq, Kuwait

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
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High Committee Formed to Demarcate Contested Borders Between Iraq, Kuwait

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and his Iraqi counterpart during their meeting on Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced the formation of a high committee to redraw the borders between Iraq and the state of Kuwait following talks held in Baghdad on Sunday with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

“This visit marks the first for Al-Sabah since assuming office,” said Hussein during a joint press conference with Al-Sabah at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

Furthermore, Hussein described Al-Sabah’s visit as historic.

“We discussed important issues related to bilateral relations between the two parties,” said Hussein while noting that “the Iraqi delegation, which met with the visiting delegation, included the head of the local government in Basra Governorate, Asaad Al-Eidani, and representatives from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Oil.”

“Our relations with Kuwait are progressing, and they will continue between the two countries,” affirmed the Iraqi minister.

Hussein pointed out that the oil file and the shared fields were part of discussions.

“We discussed facilitating visits between the two countries, in addition to the issue of border demarcation and an agreement to continue the committees' meetings regarding this matter,” added Hussein.

He emphasized the “necessity of resolving border issues between the two countries through dialogue,” while also confirming that "the relations between the two countries are strong, and they will continue through cooperation and dialogue between both parties.”

For his part, Al-Sabah affirmed during the joint press conference that “Kuwait is working with Iraq to demarcate maritime borders.”

He emphasized that “Kuwait is keen to restore matters to their rightful place in the historical trade relationship,” citing the “opening of a commercial attaché at the Kuwaiti Consulate in Basra.”

Al-Sabah continued by saying that he “found alignment in viewpoints with the Iraqi side,” confirming that “the security of the region is a collective security, and Iraq is a neighboring country with whom there are shared deep-rooted and strong historical ties.”

“I feel like I am with my family in Baghdad, and we have had very fruitful discussions, and we are determined to implement what was agreed upon in the talks,” said the Kuwaiti minister.

 

 



Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
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Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday appointed the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Mansour Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, as the country's next minister of health.

The Emir appointed Mohammed Saif Saeed al Suwaidi as QIA's next CEO.

As part of Tuesday's cabinet shuffle, Qatar's Emir also appointed Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani as the country's new minister of commerce and industry.
Sheikh Faisal is QIA's chief of Asia-Pacific and Africa investments and the chairman of Qatari telecoms group Ooredoo. It is unclear if he will remain in those roles.
The Emir appointed Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater as the new education minister. She served previously as minister of state for international cooperation and led Qatar's global humanitarian efforts, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.