KUWAIT CITY, Nov 30 : Kuwait Task Force (Khaleej) is fully ready to protect and ensure the safety and security of the delegations of the 45th Session of the GCC Supreme Council, set to kick off on Sunday, said the force’s commander, Brigadier Saad Mubarak. In a statement to KUNA on Saturday, Brigadier Mubarak said the force had been preparing for the event, after the Cabinet issued an order to task the National Guard with protecting security during the summit. The force had set a complete security plan for the Sheraton, the St. Regis and Four Points hotels, he noted. On his part, deputy commander Colonel Mutar Bader told KUNA that the force will facilitate the delegations’ entry to the hotels, while also setting check points for vehicles and luggage inspection. The National Guard will use top-notch and well developed equipment to prevent any sabotage attempts, including surveillance cameras and communication devices, he said Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has announced that several key roads will be closed starting Sunday, in preparation for the Gulf Summit Conference.

The closures include:

King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Road: Closed from the airport roundabout towards Kuwait City, with vehicles diverted to Al-Ghazali Road and Road 6.5. The opposite direction from Kuwait City towards the airport will also be closed, diverting vehicles to the Sixth Ring Road towards Jahra.

Sixth Ring Road: Closed from Jahra towards Al-Masilah, with traffic rerouted to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Road towards Kuwait City. Vehicles coming from Al-Masilah towards Jahra will also be diverted to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Road.

King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Road: Closed from Ahmadi, with vehicles redirected to the Sixth Ring Road towards Al-Masilah. Traffic coming from Madinah will be diverted to the Fifth Ring Road, which will also be closed beyond that point. Vehicles from Kuwait City towards Ahmadi will be redirected to Jahra and Salmiya.

Subhan Road: completely closed in both directions. These closures are part of security and traffic measures to accommodate the Gulf Summit Conference.

Drivers are advised to plan alternative routes. Kuwait’s hosting the 45th GCC Summit due on Sunday reflects its firm commitment to supporting the council’s shared path and boosting the Gulf unity, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said on Saturday.

Speaking to KUNA in a statement, Sheikh Sabah Nasser said the Summit comes at an accurate time, which requires further coordination and cooperation among member states to face regional and international challenges. He stressed the need of exerting efforts to enhance security and stability, and meet aspirations of Gulf nations toward further progress and prosperity. The Kuwaiti ambassador expressed confidence that the Summit would have key decisions to foster Gulf integration in different fields.

Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and in the support of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait would continue its constructive role in backing shared Gulf action and meeting aspirations of the region’s nations, he made clear. Sheikh Sabah Nasser underlined the necessity of concerted Gulf efforts, in light of ongoing conditions, to enhance solidarity and achieve joint interest of GCC nations. In related news, the media center for the 45th GCC summit provides logistical and technical facilities for journalists, said a ranking official on Saturday. The Ministry of Information, namely the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and the Undersecretary Nasser Muhaiseen keenly ensured that the center would provide all necessary services for the media corps, said Adel Uwaid Al-Meshaan in a statement to KUNA. Al-Meshaan is the assistant undersecretary in the media planning division at the Ministry of Information and the head of the summit media center. The Ministry of Information has placed all available resources at the disposal of ensuring success of the summit.

Special committee are coordinating with the GCC Secretariat General, he said, noting that the ministry supplied the participating journalists with statistics and information to back up their feeds from the venue of the summit. An exhibition held at the media center displays the GCC countries’ achievements (KUNA)