KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: The Cabinet held its weekly meeting at Seif Palace on Monday, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Amid a briefing on the country’s COVID-19 pandemic situation, Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah reiterated the need to maintain the “utmost caution” and to curb the spread of the disease, Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said after the talks.

Ministers went on to urge the importance for nationals and expatriates alike to continue adhering to public health guidelines. The Cabinet approved the reviewing of the upcoming December parliamentary elections by the Kuwait Transparency Society as part of an amendment of the National Assembly elections’ law.

The move comes “in line with the new circumstances in the Kuwaiti society … (and) aspirations for more democracy, transparency and equal opportunities amongst candidates, and to provide further transparency and integrity that should be available in the electoral process procedures.” This comes after the routine formation of the supreme national elections commission, tasked with supervising and overseeing the voting process. In regards to regional and international diplomacy, ministers expressed their “strong condemnation and denunciation” of the Houthi militia’s continued targeting of civilian areas in Saudi Arabia by drone attacks.

The Cabinet explained that the increasing occurrence of these attacks is a “blatant violation of international charters and laws and a flagrant threat to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its brotherly people” as well as being a “direct threat to international peace and security”

Stability
These acts “undermine the stability of the region, requiring the international community, especially the Security Council, to assume its responsibilities in curbing these criminal acts and putting an end to them.” The Cabinet underlined full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support of Riyadh in all the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability. Furthermore, the Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s strong condemnation of the “heinous terrorist crime” that took place last Thursday in Nice, France, which resulted in the killing and wounding of a number of innocent people, expressing sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. Kuwait underlines its “principled and firm stance” against all forms of terrorism, extremism and violence, which are rejected by all divine religions and human values and criminalized by international laws and norms, the ministers reiterated.

They went on to call for the need to double international efforts to reject practices that generate hatred among peoples and feed extremism and terrorism. The Cabinet also expressed “sadness and deep regret” over the news of the earthquake that struck the Turkish city of Izmir recently, which left dozens killed and injured as well as causing severe damage to property and infrastructure.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah visited Monday the Defence Ministry’s Lt Gen (retired) Ahmad Khaled Al-Sabah Hall. Upon arrival, His Highness the Amir was received by, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah, Chief of Staff of the Army Lt Gen Sheikh Khaled Saleh Al- Sabah, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army Lt Gen Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Naser and senior commanders of the army.

His Highness during the visit delivered a speech in which he expressed great appreciation to the armed forces that are in a constant state of willingness to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Kuwait, its independence and sovereignty. The army has proven over the years that it is the nation’s protective shield against invaders and aggressors, and for this purpose, as so they deserved the pride and the love of the nation and citizens, His Highness said.

Contributions
His Highness the Amir also praised the army recent contributions in implementing the precautionary measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, as they were always the best help and support despite the risks of infection.

The Kuwaiti army did not delay or hesitate in carrying out its national duty, His Highness said. They participated actively in Arab defense battles on Sinai and the Golan, His Highness added. His Highness reaffirmed keenness to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of the armed forces and enable them to carry out their sacred duty to protect the homeland, as they will always remain at the forefront of our priorities. For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense delivered a speech in which he expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness for this visit on behalf of employees of the Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry employees will continue to pledge loyalty to this nation and to your leadership, the Minister said. Since the launch of government efforts under the current health conditions, the Ministry of Defense has been working around the clock and with the efforts of its employees to offer support of these efforts through the formation of forces and specialized work teams working side by side with the various official bodies to ensure the implementation of government decisions and procedures as required, he added.

The army participated in implementing the Council of Ministers decision to impose the curfew in addition to the process of transporting medical personnel and equipment via Kuwaiti Air Force aircraft, he said, They also participated in the citizens’ evacuation plan from abroad and support the Ministry of Health with the necessary medical personnel, establishing and equipping health quarantines, and other tasks and duties required by such exceptional circumstances, he added.

Then, Major General Mohammad Abdullah Al-Kandari, the Assistant Chief of the General Staff of the Operations and Plans Authority, provided an explanation of the military system, the general position of the Kuwaiti army, and the high combat competence to enhance the tasks of the men of the armed forces to protect the homeland and their permanent readiness to sacrifice their lives in order to redeem Kuwait. (KUNA)