Kuwait Says to Open Abdali Border Crossing with Iraq

Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Says to Open Abdali Border Crossing with Iraq

Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah al-Khaled said Abdali border crossing with Iraq will be opened next week to boost economic cooperation, trade exchange and facilitate movement between the two countries.

Al-Khaled made an inspection tour of the northern border facilities. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad al-Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmed al-Nasser.

In this context, Head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority Omar al-Waeli underlined the economic and commercial significance of this border checkpoint for both countries.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Safwan and Abdali border crossings with Kuwait were shut to travelers and trade at both countries’ request in March 2020, amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.

The recent decision will bolster bilateral commercial and economic cooperation, Waeli noted, affirming that both countries welcomed the decision.

Commenting on the importance of the border crossing in the future, Waeli pointed out that Kuwait has one border crossing with Iraq, making it crucial during all times.



Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Syria will take its time to organize a landmark national dialogue conference to ensure that the preparations include all segments of Syrian society, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said on Tuesday, according to state media.

The conference is meant to bring together Syrians from across society to chart a new path for the nation after opposition factions ousted autocratic President Bashar al-Assad. Assad, whose family had ruled Syria for 54 years, fled to Russia.

"We will take our time with the national dialogue conference to have the opportunity to form a preparatory committee that can accommodate the comprehensive representation of Syria from all segments and governments," Shibani said.

Diplomats and visiting envoys had in recent days told Syria's new rulers it would be better not to rush the conference to improve its chances of success, rather than yield mixed results, two diplomats said.

The new government has not yet decided on a date for the conference, sources previously told Reuters, and several members of opposition groups have recently said that they had not received invitations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday time was needed for Syria to pick itself up again and rebuild following Assad's overthrow, and that the damage to infrastructure from 13 years of civil war looked worse than anticipated.

Since Assad's fall on Dec. 8, Türkiye has repeatedly said it would provide any help needed to help its neighbor rebuild, and has sent its foreign minister, intelligence chief, and an energy ministry delegation to discuss providing it with electricity.

Türkiye shares a 911-km (565-mile) border with Syria and has carried out several cross-border incursions against Kurdish YPG militants it views as terrorists.