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 Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, along with rising regional tensions, took center stage at the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, which began on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia urged countries to back the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key step toward resolving the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the ACD summit and highlighted how continued violence in the region is disrupting international trade and fueling political tensions, which threaten investments and economic cooperation.
“The continuation of aggression and violations in the region hinder the movement of international trade and increase political tensions that threaten the flow of investments and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and the world,” he said.
He called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
“We thank Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries for their support for the two-state solution and their recognition of the State of Palestine, and we urge the rest of the world to follow suit,” Prince Faisal said, reminding that the situation has prompted the Kingdom to work with “brothers and allies in establishing a Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution.”
He stressed that the current unrest in Palestine and Lebanon is a major barrier to economic and commercial development in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for resistance groups.
“The Zionist enemy will be punished, and we will keep supporting the resistance until Palestine is liberated,” said Pezeshkian.
Also speaking at the ACD summit, he emphasized: “Those who violate human rights must know that resistance is strong and cannot be eliminated.”
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s backing for Palestinian resistance.
After meeting with a Hamas delegation in Doha, Pezeshkian warned that Israel’s ongoing actions had led Iran’s military to deliver a decisive response.
“Israel couldn’t commit these crimes without backing from the US and Europe. If Israel makes any mistake against Iran, it will face a much stronger retaliation than Tuesday’s attack,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and warned of the consequences of not holding Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the summit, Sheikh Tamim said: “Qatar has long warned about the dangers of not addressing Israel’s crimes.”
He pointed to the escalating violence in Gaza, noting that true security can only be achieved through a just peace, which includes creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
He stressed that Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights.
“Israel’s relentless attacks on civilians in Gaza and other occupied areas have killed over 41,000 innocent people. What’s happening is genocide, and Gaza is being made uninhabitable to force its residents out,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of using international inaction to expand settlements in the West Bank and prepare for annexation.
“We believe in de-escalating tensions and respecting nations’ sovereignty,” he added, stressing that Israel is taking advantage of global silence to push its agenda in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also called for urgent international intervention to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
He warned that Israel’s attacks have destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“Peace cannot coexist with occupation, genocide, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Abbas reaffirmed at the ACD summit.