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 Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the terrorist and criminal attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthis against civilian and economic facilities in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, which injured 73 civilians, including women and children.

This came in a speech delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil during an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened to discuss the Houthi militia’s attacks against the Kingdom.

Alwasil warned of the seriousness of the Houthi escalation and its repercussions for regional security. He stressed that the attacks threaten not only the Kingdom’s security, citizens, and assets, but also international navigation and trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He called on the UN Security Council to adopt a clear, firm stance on these attacks and fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

He also stressed the need to ensure the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and to halt all forms of support that enable the Houthi militia to continue its hostile actions and attacks, which threaten regional security and international shipping lanes.

Alwasil reaffirmed the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its security, sovereignty, citizens, residents, and national assets, in line with the UN Charter and international law.

He stressed the Kingdom’s steadfast position regarding Yemen, based on preserving its unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

He stressed the Kingdom’s continued support for a comprehensive, sustainable, Yemeni-led political solution to the Yemeni crisis that achieves security and stability and fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli prime minister's illegal entry into Syria in a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a blatant breach of international law, SPA reported.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of halting Israeli violations and transgressions against Syrian territory and adhering to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.

The Kingdom also reiterated its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.


OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia
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OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the continued cross-border terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia.

The commission said the attacks deliberately target civilians, including women and children, as well as civilian assets and critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

The commission expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people, stressing the need to protect the safety and security of civilians at all times. It described the Houthi attacks as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, SPA reported.

It also warned that repeated attacks endangering civilians have serious implications for fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to life, security, and physical integrity, and threaten regional peace and stability.

The commission reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right and responsibility under international law to protect its population and civilian infrastructure from unlawful terrorist attacks. It stressed the need to hold the Houthi militia accountable for its grave violations of international law.

The commission also called on the international community, the United Nations, and relevant international and regional mechanisms to unequivocally condemn Houthi attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent their recurrence and escalation.