Kuwait Announces Completion of Gulf Summit Arrangements

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kuwait Announces Completion of Gulf Summit Arrangements

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kuwait has completed preparations for hosting the 38th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, which is scheduled to take place on December 5 and 6, after overcoming several obstacles in light of the current Gulf crisis.

Amid an optimistic atmosphere, Kuwait is moving forward to receive Gulf leaders on Tuesday while ministerial committees are expected to start their meetings in preparation for the summit, which is the sixth in Kuwait since the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council on May 25, 1981.

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah received First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah and GCC Secretary-General Abdul Latif al-Zayani, who gave the Emir details about the summit preparations.

Sheikh Sabah visited al-Tahrir Hall at Bayan Palace on Sunday to check on preparations for the 38th Session of the Supreme Council of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

For his part, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah said on Sunday that his country has completed preparations for hosting the 38th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.\

During his attendance of the UAE’s 46th National Day celebrations at the country’s embassy in Kuwait, he said: “Kuwait will welcome GCC leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

A ministerial meeting is due to kick off on Monday ahead of the summit, added Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid, who hoped the talks would support the continuation of the bloc’s welcomed accomplishments.

In this context, Qatar´s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will attend the summit in Kuwait, Doha´s Foreign Minister said announced on Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar´s leader had accepted the invitation to attend amid the region´s worst political crisis in years.

“I will attend the ministerial council on Monday and the Emir will attend the summit,” said the Qatari FM.

Kuwaiti sources did not comment on the mechanism adopted by the summit regarding the Qatar crisis, especially that three Gulf countries have cut off diplomatic relations with Doha on the eve of the crisis in June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region.

Kuwait hopes that the summit will maintain the representation of Gulf leaders and overcome current crisis between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain on one hand and Qatar on the other hand.



Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
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Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology warned on Friday of heavy rains in Makkah and Al-Jumum Governorate including the centers of Rahat and Madrakah.

The rain will be accompanied by strong winds, lack of horizontal visibility, hail, torrents, and thunderstorms.

It said the weather conditions will continue until Friday night.

Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in cooperation with other government agencies working in the Grand Mosque, intensified cleaning and drying of the Mataf area (circumambulation track) after the rainfall witnessed in Makkah on Thursday to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and Umrah performers.

The authority mobilized more than 200 supervisors and observers, 4,000 workers, and more than 500 pieces of equipment to deal with the rain.

To ensure the thoroughness of the cleaning process, water suction and washing equipment were strategically distributed both inside and outside the Grand Mosque.