Kuwait Sends Official Invitations to Gulf Summit

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
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Kuwait Sends Official Invitations to Gulf Summit

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Kuwait on Thursday raised expectations for the planned 38th GCC summit after officially inviting Qatar and Oman to attend the summit scheduled for December 5-6.

Kuwaiti sources, organizing the Gulf summit, said official directives had asked them to work on completing all the procedures, on the basis that the summit would be held on December 5 and 6.

The sources noted that the acceleration of efforts to hold the summit suggested Doha’s acceptance of the conditions imposed by the Arab Anti-Terrorism Quartet, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

They also stressed that Kuwait would not have progressed on this step had it not received positive signals to end the Gulf crisis.

The same sources pointed to the visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al Sabah to Riyadh, where he delivered a message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, and which came two days after the Emir of Kuwait received the Qatari Emir’s brothers, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad, who conveyed a verbal message from Sheikh Tamim to the Emir of Kuwait.

On Thursday, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar Hafez Al-Ajmi delivered an official invitation to Sheikh Tamim to attend the summit.

The Kuwaiti news agency reported that Al-Ajmi handed the Emir of Qatar a written message from the Emir of Kuwait, inviting him to participate in the Gulf Summit, which will be held in Kuwait City next week.

Kuwait also announced that Oman’s Sultan Qaboos has received an official invitation to attend the summit.

It is noteworthy that the last Gulf Summit (37th) was held south of the Bahraini capital, Manama, in the presence of British Prime Minister Theresa Mai, who announced a project of strategic partnership between the UK and the Gulf, at the economic, political, defense and security levels.



Rubio: Kuwait is an Indispensable Partner for Regional Security and Stability

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (KUNA)
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Rubio: Kuwait is an Indispensable Partner for Regional Security and Stability

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (KUNA)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Kuwait as “an indispensable partner for regional security and stability.”

Rubio held talks with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah on efforts to bolster security and stability, Kuwait's state news agency KUNA said on Wednesday.

He also attended a flag-raising at the US Embassy, which resumed operations after Iran-linked attacks forced a suspension, the State Department said.

"The American flag: a symbol of liberty, unity and freedom now flies proudly once again over Kuwait City. Kuwait is an indispensable partner for regional security and stability," Rubio wrote on social media following the ceremony.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon his arrival in Kuwait as part of his Gulf tour (US Secretary of State's account on social media)

Earlier, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with Rubio strategic cooperation between the two countries and ways to further strengthen coordination across various fields in support of shared interests, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The meeting in Abu Dhabi also addressed regional and international issues of mutual concern, with a focus on developments in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed and Rubio underscored the importance of advancing the foundations of security, stability, and lasting peace across the region, WAM said.

On Monday, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio will travel to the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25.

“The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region. In Bahrain, the Secretary will also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss shared priorities across the region,” Pigott said.


Faisal bin Farhan, Araghchi Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Faisal bin Farhan, Araghchi Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed the latest developments in negotiations between Iran and the United States, as well as progress in implementing the agreed understandings, SPA said.

They also discussed regional developments and underscored the importance of continuing efforts to advance dialogue and diplomatic solutions in a manner that serves the shared interests of the countries and peoples of the region, the news agency added.


Saudi Foreign Minister in Bahrain for GCC-US Ministerial Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister in Bahrain for GCC-US Ministerial Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday to take part in the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and the United States, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Upon arrival, he was received by Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

The meeting is expected to tackle the strategic cooperation between the GCC member states and the US, as well as key regional and international issues.