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
TT

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.



Qatar’s Emir: No Peace in Region Without Establishing a Palestinian State

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
TT

Qatar’s Emir: No Peace in Region Without Establishing a Palestinian State

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said on Thursday the crisis in the Middle East is a "collective genocide," and that establishing a Palestinian State is the only way to ensure peace in the region.
"It has become crystal clear that what is happening is genocide", he said during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha.
The Emir emphasized that there can be no peace in the region without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Qatari Emir also condemned Israeli air strikes and military operations "against the brotherly Lebanese Republic".
Israel launched an assault a year ago on the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants attacked southern Israeli towns. 
This week, Israel launched a ground incursion in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which has been firing into Israel in what it says is solidarity with the Palestinians.