Gulf, Arab Countries Congratulate Saudi Arabia on 93rd National Day

 22 September 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Saudis wave flags as aircraft perform to celebrate Saudi Arabia's National Day in Riyadh. (SPA)
22 September 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Saudis wave flags as aircraft perform to celebrate Saudi Arabia's National Day in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Gulf, Arab Countries Congratulate Saudi Arabia on 93rd National Day

 22 September 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Saudis wave flags as aircraft perform to celebrate Saudi Arabia's National Day in Riyadh. (SPA)
22 September 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Saudis wave flags as aircraft perform to celebrate Saudi Arabia's National Day in Riyadh. (SPA)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent on Friday a cable of congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day.

Deputy Emir of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani expressed in two similar cables their congratulations to King Salman.

King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the occasion.

In a cable to King Salman, he underscored the depth of the historical fraternal relations between the two kingdoms and their peoples.

He stressed Bahrain's constant keenness to continue strengthening and developing cooperation and strong joint action with Saudi Arabia in line with their vital strategic partnership to achieve the aspirations and interests of both countries and bring the best benefit to their peoples.

He hailed King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their dedication to the development and economic prosperity of the region that serves security, stability, peace, and prosperity, and provides a better future for the coming generations.

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, also congratulated in two cables King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed on National Day.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II congratulated King Salman on the occasion.

In a cable in his name and on behalf of the people and government of Jordan, he expressed his sincere congratulations to King Salman, wishing him good health and happiness, and the Saudi people further progress and prosperity.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent cables of congratulations to King Salman on National Day.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also sent cables of congratulations to Crown Prince Mohammed on the occasion.

Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the UAE also sent congratulatory cables to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed.

Iraqi President Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid sent a cable of congratulations to King Salman on National Day, wishing him health and success, and the brotherly Saudi people further progress and prosperity.

He also expressed keenness to strengthen relations between their people.



Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)

Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on Monday sentenced 13 citizens to three years in prison for raising funds through a charity to support Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The court also fined them 27 million Kuwaiti dinars ($87 million), overturning a previous acquittal by a lower court.

The court that issued the sentencing was presided over by Judge Abdullah Jassim Al-Abdullah.

Initially, the Criminal Court had acquitted the defendants, citing the absence of legislation explicitly criminalizing unlicensed fundraising for public purposes since the establishment of Kuwait's Social Affairs Department on December 14, 1954.

The court said this legal gap limited its authority under Article 132 of the Code of Criminal Procedures and Trials. However, the decision was reversed by the higher court.

The defendants had been interrogated in November 2021 over alleged financial support to organizations linked to Hezbollah.

At the time, the Public Prosecution ordered their detention, and security authorities conducted extensive investigations into financial transfers suspected of funding such groups in Lebanon.

The case dates back to November 2021. The charges included significant financial transfers made over several years to foreign entities, including in Lebanon, prompting authorities to scrutinize transaction records.

The defendants denied the charges, claiming they had worked with a charity committee for 30 years, primarily sponsoring orphans in Lebanon and other countries.

In March 2024, the Court of Cassation classified Hezbollah as a banned terrorist group, describing it as an armed organization working to undermine Kuwait’s system and spread Iran’s revolutionary ideology.

The ruling officially confirmed Hezbollah’s designation as a terrorist entity under Kuwaiti law.