Gulf Summit to Kick off in Kuwait amid Internal Challenges

A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
TT

Gulf Summit to Kick off in Kuwait amid Internal Challenges

A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council are expected to meet on Tuesday at the 38th GCC Summit in Kuwait, in the most critical stages the council has ever experienced.

One of the major challenges facing the GCC countries is the current dispute with Qatar, which threatens to impact the unity of the Council. They are also confronted with the challenge of formulating a common vision to deal with regional conflicts, in particular the confrontation with Iran and the fragile situation in Yemen.

On the eve of the summit, news broke out about the death of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had abandoned his alliance with Houthi militias and led an uprising against their dominance of the capital Sana’a. The new development would add a new burden that would require a unified Gulf strategy.

The leaders of the six Gulf countries are expected to arrive in Kuwait on Tuesday, while the foreign ministers met on Monday for the first time following the eruption of the Qatari crisis in June.

The ministers did not issue any statements at the end of the meeting because it was limited to preparing for the two-day summit that kicks off on Tuesday.

According to an informal schedule of meetings, GCC leaders are due to arrive at noon on Tuesday, with the summit opening at 5:30 pm Kuwait time.

Participants in Monday’s session included - in addition to the foreign ministers of Kuwait and Qatar - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Yousuf bin Alawi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash and Bahrain’s Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal Al Dosari.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al Sabah said during an opening speech on Monday that the GCC was a “constant project” that seeks to establish strong Gulf bonds in order to preserve independence and development.

He underlined the importance of GCC meetings in maintaining cooperation between the member states for the interest of the people and to confront the dangers threatening the security and stability of the region.



Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
TT

Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)

Kuwait issued seven new decrees on Saturday, revoking the Kuwaiti nationality of 1,145 women and 13 men, along with any individuals who may have acquired citizenship through affiliation.
The decrees, which are set to be published in the official Kuwaiti gazette on Sunday, stated that the decision followed a review of the Constitution, the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, and the recommendation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The decrees include the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from 1,145 women, as well as individuals who may have acquired it through affiliation.
Additionally, the citizenship of certain individuals was rescinded under Article 21 of the Nationality Law, which permits the withdrawal of nationality if it was granted based on fraud, false statements, or incorrect documentation.
Under Kuwaiti law, the cabinet, acting on a proposal from the Interior Minister, has the authority to revoke citizenship in such cases. This also applies to individuals who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through affiliation with the original certificate holder.
Last Thursday, the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Affairs convened a meeting, chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who also serves as the committee's chairman.

The committee decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,647 individuals, with plans to present their cases to the Cabinet for further review.
This brings the total number of cases to 4,601 since October 31, a span of just three weeks.
The Committee began its work in early March, when Kuwaiti authorities launched a campaign to revoke citizenships for various reasons, primarily linked to fraud.
The Kuwaiti government states that the revocation of citizenship from forgers and dual nationals is intended to "preserve national identity, ensure stability, and protect the national fabric," as well as to remove the records of individuals who obtained citizenship through illegal means.