Kuwait Minister: We are not Dissatisfied with the Representation Reduction

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Mubarak, the minister of state for cabinet affairs and acting information minister.(October 24, 2017. KUNA)
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Mubarak, the minister of state for cabinet affairs and acting information minister.(October 24, 2017. KUNA)
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Kuwait Minister: We are not Dissatisfied with the Representation Reduction

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Mubarak, the minister of state for cabinet affairs and acting information minister.(October 24, 2017. KUNA)
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Mubarak, the minister of state for cabinet affairs and acting information minister.(October 24, 2017. KUNA)

Kuwait's Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister Information Sheikh Mohammad al-Abdullah al-Sabah said Wednesday that his country is not dissatisfied with the reduction of the level of representation of Gulf delegations to the GCC Kuwait summit.

Sheikh Mohammad said Kuwait has had the honor of welcoming the representatives of any leader of a GCC member country, adding: "we are dealing with each delegate as the representative of his country's leadership and people."

Speaking at a meeting with the media covering the 38th GCC summit that concluded on Tuesday, the minister said that none of the GCC countries imposed preconditions to participate in the summit, especially with regard to the current crisis with Qatar.

When asked by Asharq Al-Awsat about the crisis and Kuwait's mediation, Sheikh Mohammad said the mediation derives its credibility from the impartiality of the mediator, adding: "our role as mediator requires us to be neutral in this crisis." He indicated that Kuwait's role is very important and vital and it will continue its efforts to reach a solution.

With regard to the Yemen crisis, the Kuwaiti minister said all GCC delegations agreed in the closed session on the importance of maintaining stability and unity of Yemen, adding that they all support efforts of political solution to this crisis.

During the meeting, the minister also addressed foreign challenges, including Iran's interventions in the region, calling on Iran to abide by international law and good-neighborliness with its Gulf region.

"We are keen to avoid any issue that could create a disagreement between GCC states, but the issue of foreign interventions is not a controversial issue," he concluded.



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.