Kuwait Allows Women to Join Military in Combat Roles

A fighter jet is pictured behind Kuwait's flag in Kuwait City in this file picture taken on November 18, 2018. (AFP)
A fighter jet is pictured behind Kuwait's flag in Kuwait City in this file picture taken on November 18, 2018. (AFP)
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Kuwait Allows Women to Join Military in Combat Roles

A fighter jet is pictured behind Kuwait's flag in Kuwait City in this file picture taken on November 18, 2018. (AFP)
A fighter jet is pictured behind Kuwait's flag in Kuwait City in this file picture taken on November 18, 2018. (AFP)

Kuwaiti women will be allowed to enlist in the military in combat roles for the first time after years of having been restricted to civilian roles, the army said Tuesday.

Defense Minister Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah said the door had been opened for women to join various combat ranks, including as officers, the Kuwait Armed Forces tweeted.

"The time has come for Kuwaiti women to be given the opportunity to enter the Kuwaiti military side by side with their brothers," the minister said in remarks carried by state news agency KUNA.

He expressed confidence in women's "capabilities... and their ability to endure hardship".

Kuwaiti women earned the right to vote in 2005 and have been active both in cabinet and parliament -- though they did not gain any seats in the current parliament.



Saudi Crown Prince Meets with World Leaders, Top Officials in Riyadh

The Crown Prince met on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and a group of senior executives from leading French companies. SPA
The Crown Prince met on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and a group of senior executives from leading French companies. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets with World Leaders, Top Officials in Riyadh

The Crown Prince met on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and a group of senior executives from leading French companies. SPA
The Crown Prince met on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and a group of senior executives from leading French companies. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has met with leaders and top officials on the sidelines of the One Water Summit held in Riyadh.

The Crown Prince held talks on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and a group of senior executives from leading French companies.

They reviewed Saudi-French relations and discussed ways to enhance them. They also addressed efforts to combat desertification, exchanged innovative expertise and technologies, and focused on strengthening research and development to tackle water challenges and ensure the sustainability of water resources. Several economic initiatives were also explored.

The Crown Prince also met with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. They reviewed Saudi-Pakistani relations, areas of bilateral cooperation, and ways to enhance them.

They also discussed developments in the region and the world, and addressed several issues, particularly efforts to tackle water challenges.

With Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Saudi Crown Prince discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and coordinating joint efforts to ensure the sustainability of water sources and address environmental challenges.

He also held separate talks with the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

During the meeting, the friendship between the two countries was reviewed. Several topics were also discussed, particularly joint coordination to address environmental challenges related to water scarcity and drought.

Talks with World Bank President Ajay Banga focused on Saudi Arabia’s efforts and initiatives to address water challenges and to promote collaboration in the utilization and protection of water resources.

With Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, the Crown Prince discussed opportunities for cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance mutual interests. They also reviewed several topics on the agenda of the One Water Summit.