عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Kuwait Ends Controversy, Accepts Credentials of US Ambassador

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah (AFP)
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah (AFP)
TT
TT

Kuwait Ends Controversy, Accepts Credentials of US Ambassador

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah (AFP)
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah (AFP)

Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah accepted the credentials of the new US ambassador-designate to Kuwait, ending a controversy after a wave of protests rejecting the diplomat.

Lawmakers and activists demanded the ambassador be prevented from assuming her duties amid unprecedented tensions following the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Several Kuwaiti members of the parliament and activists issued public warnings against the US ambassador-designate, Karen Sasahara, before she arrived in the country.

They said they’d grill the Foreign Minister if he accepted the credentials of the new US ambassador.

The FM confirmed that the Emir accepted the nomination of the US ambassador, adding that once Sasahara arrives in Kuwait, he will present her to the political leadership.

During a press conference at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Sheikh Salem said that following the leadership’s order, Kuwait is sending relief aid to Gaza. He rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians from the Strip.

Kuwait has a firm and principled position towards the Palestinian cause, said the Foreign Minister, pointing out that Kuwait supports any call to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, hundreds of citizens and residents gathered at al-Erada Square in Kuwait City to express unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their resilience against the Zionist occupation.

During the protest, Kuwaiti representatives and activists directed their anger at the US and UN, demanding that the ambassador be prevented from arriving to assume her duties in the country.

Speaking at the gathering, MP Abdulkarim al-Kandari reiterated that he would grill the Foreign Minister if he accepts the credentials of the new US Ambassador.

Lawmaker Jamaan al-Harbash posted on X platform announcing his support for Kandari in rejecting the new US ambassador.

Harbash said the US was the official sponsor of the criminal Zionist entity that kills children and women.

Kandari said in another X post that the US ambassador’s files oppose the declared policy of Kuwait, adding that she was consul general at the Washington embassy in occupied Jerusalem.

He asserted his rejection of accepting her papers, saying it was consistent with the state’s position, declaring it was in a state of war.

Former Minister of Information Saad bin Tafla al-Ajmi also posted on X welcoming Sasahara, recalling the US’ contribution to the liberation of Kuwait.

Ajmi appreciated the US support in 1990 during the Iraqi aggression and its help to liberate Kuwait

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
TT
TT

GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA

Foreign Ministers from the Gulf and the US have announced their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was convened on September 25 in New York, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who currently chairs the GCC Ministerial Council. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Ministers from GCC member states and Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi.

A statement issued on Thursday said the ministers announced “their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel along the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”

The ministers stressed the need for all civilians displaced after October 7 to return to their homes and reaffirmed their belief that a durable peace is essential for a more integrated, stable, and prosperous region.

They also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity, effectiveness, and transparency of the Palestinian Authority, advocating for unified Palestinian-led governance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The ministers committed to supporting Palestinian aspirations for self-determination, ensuring that Palestinians are central to post-conflict governance and security in Gaza. They expressed support for improving the quality of life for Palestinians through humanitarian assistance and efforts to accelerate economic growth.

The statement said they expressed deep concern over rising levels of settler and extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and stressed the need for accountability for perpetrators. They called for a halt to unilateral actions, including settlement expansions, that hinder the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. They highlighted the importance of protecting all holy sites and places of worship while preserving the historic status quo in Jerusalem, recognizing Jordan’s special role.

On Gaza, the ministers committed to working towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.

They called for an increase in the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and stressed the urgent need to restore basic services and ensure protection for humanitarian workers. They highlighted the necessity for stakeholders to facilitate humanitarian distribution networks across Gaza to alleviate suffering and reiterated that all parties must ensure the safety of aid workers.

The ministers also underscored their shared commitment to the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US, building on the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent one in Riyadh on April 29. They emphasized the importance of strengthening consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields.