Egyptian, Kuwaiti Efforts to Contain 'Unofficial Feuds'

Nurses await to admit expatriates in a makeshift coronavirus testing center at the Mishref Fair Grounds in Kuwait city, Kuwait. Reuters file photo
Nurses await to admit expatriates in a makeshift coronavirus testing center at the Mishref Fair Grounds in Kuwait city, Kuwait. Reuters file photo
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Egyptian, Kuwaiti Efforts to Contain 'Unofficial Feuds'

Nurses await to admit expatriates in a makeshift coronavirus testing center at the Mishref Fair Grounds in Kuwait city, Kuwait. Reuters file photo
Nurses await to admit expatriates in a makeshift coronavirus testing center at the Mishref Fair Grounds in Kuwait city, Kuwait. Reuters file photo

Egypt and Kuwait have sought to contain "unofficial" disputes among a number of their citizens, which included an incitement campaign against Egyptian expats in Kuwait accused of being infected with the coronavirus.

Both countries discussed the issue, stressing the importance of the historic ties between them.

In Egypt, a number of public figures, artists, and university professors launched an initiative rejecting discord and warning against "deliberate attempts" to create strife between the two countries.

Egyptian Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem also signed the initiative which reiterated the importance and strength of Egyptian-Kuwaiti relations historically, politically, and culturally.

The signatories explained that two or three individuals who started the altercations don’t represent the Egyptian people.

Some of them belong to a political movement rejected by Egyptians, said the signatories.

They also praised a statement issued by a large group of Kuwaiti artists and public figures condemning attempts to cause hostility between the peoples of both countries.

Last week, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser telephoned his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri, discussing the brotherly and historic relations between Kuwait and Egypt.

The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the level of ties between the two states, and rejected all bids intended to strain these bonds.

The talks touched on precautionary measures in the two countries against the novel coronavirus.

As part of efforts to contain the crisis, the Kuwaiti prosecution interrogated Kuwaiti writer Mubarak al-Bugaily over his insulting comments on Egypt.

Bugaily posted a series of tweets against Egypt, denouncing the way the country is dealing with the coronavirus crisis, and undermining the Egyptian workers in Kuwait.

Sources stated that Kuwait intends to deport Egyptian workers whose residencies have expired, but the Egyptian authorities preferred they stay put until the crisis is over, while respecting the Kuwaiti authorities’ instructions on precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, member of Egypt's parliamentary foreign affairs committee MP Mohammed al-Orabi lauded the relations between Cairo and Kuwait, saying they can’t be shaken by a group that constantly attacks Egypt.

Orabi told Asharq Al-Awsat that he received several calls from Kuwaiti parliamentarians and former ministers affirming that such statements do not represent Kuwait or its people.

Egyptian MP and Deputy Speaker of the Arab Parliament Saad al-Gammal announced that a video conferencing session of the Arab Parliament will be held next week.

Gammal praised the Emir of Kuwait and the historic ties between the two counties, asserting that dialogue will prevail. He indicated that those attacking Egyptians neither represent their country nor the Emir.



Saudi Arabia, Egypt Stress Need for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh in August. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh in August. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt Stress Need for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh in August. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh in August. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Egypt stressed on Friday the need for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah held telephone talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to discuss the situation in Lebanon and the Israeli escalation in the region, given the ongoing coordination and cooperation between Riyadh and Cairo.

An Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman said the FMs condemned the Israeli assault on Lebanon that has left hundreds dead and wounded.

He stressed Saudi Arabia and Egypt’s “full solidarity with Lebanon and its brotherly people during this crisis.”

They underlined the importance of offering all forms of humanitarian assistance to the people and enabling the state and all of its institutions to perform their duties and impose its sovereignty throughout the country.

The FMs expressed their categorical rejection of any measures that may impact Lebanon’s sovereignty across its territories.

Moreover, they warned that the prolongation of the escalation may have consequences on the people of the region.

Prince Faisal and Abdelatty called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 by all concerned parties.

Furthermore, the FMs called on the international community, especially the Security Council, to assume its responsibilities in reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt will continue to coordinate to address the dangers in the Arab region caused by the Israeli assault against the Lebanese and Palestinian people.