Latest news with #Kuwaiti-Iraqi
Arab Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti-Iraqi friendship unshaken, says Al-Zibari
KUWAIT CITY, April 24: Iraqi Youth Ambassador Fahad Al-Zibari has affirmed that Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations will remain strong and will not be undermined by the attempts of a few to inflame emotions between the two nations. He said the Iraqi people were surprised by the extent of the Kuwaitis' love and hospitality for their Iraqi brothers, especially when they welcomed Iraqi fans to Kuwait during the match between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti national teams late last year. In an exclusive interview with the newspaper on the sidelines of his meeting with Dean of Kuwaiti journalism and Editor-in-Chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah, Al-Zibari asserted that 'the true image of the Kuwaiti people has not been presented in the media as desired, but I have found all the love from them.' Regarding the components of the Iraqi people, he stressed that Iraq is a united nation of Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. He said the number of Iraqi Kurds has reached around six million and they enjoy full rights to government jobs. Following are excerpts of the interview: Question: First, tell us about your impressions of the Kuwaiti visit. Answer: This is my third visit to Kuwait. Frankly, I have the utmost appreciation and respect for Kuwait. Its people are among the most welcoming and hospitable. This was evident when Iraqi fans came to Kuwait to watch the match between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti national teams at the end of last year. Although I do not represent sports, as a social worker, I observed how the Kuwaiti people welcomed their Iraqi brothers despite the atmosphere of tension that preceded the match from a very small group of parties who do not represent the Iraqi people. This is especially true given the strong and historic Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations. Some of the incidents that occurred will not be repeated and will not diminish the intensity of the love between the Kuwaiti and Iraqi peoples. Q: What is the reason behind the tension instigated by a small group in Iraq? A: Because the true image of the Kuwaiti people has not been portrayed in the media as desired, I have found love from the Kuwaiti people. What connects me to Kuwait is my love for Kuwait and the Kuwaitis alone, and there are no personal interests. Q: How many Kurds are there in Iraq? A: Around five to six million. Q: Are Kurds welcome in all jobs, or are there some aspects that bother you? A: Yes, we have a stake. We participate in all government agencies and the Iraqi Army, which consists of many Kurds. There are also Kurdish security leaders. Q: To what extent does the Iraqi Council of Ministers cover all components of the Iraqi people? What is the Kurdish share in this? A: Yes, the Iraqi Council of Ministers covers all components of the Iraqi people. The President of Iraq is Kurdish, the Prime Minister, as executive authority, is Shiite, and the Speaker of Parliament is Sunni. This confirms that the Iraqi people are a melting pot and a single unit. Personally, I view Iraq as a single people, and I am not concerned with any affiliation. What matters to me is the Iraqi person and the loyalty they hold within them to Iraq first. Their affiliations come after that, whether Kurdish, Shiite or Sunni. However, these affiliations should not overshadow their love for the country, because those who do not protect their country will not protect their affiliations. Q: What about your message, which you believe in as an ambassador for Iraqi youth? A: I aim to spread peace and love and strive to unite hearts. This stems from Islam. Q: Iraq has suffered from fragmentation and conflict over sectarian identity in the past. Is it currently on the right path? A: We are moving toward a new Iraq, powered by the energy of its youth, through figures who love Iraq, and through visionaries with a long history represented by the wise leadership. Frankly, the Iraqi people, after the previous conflict and fragmentation, have learned their lesson well. Everyone is now striving for full integration and to foster brotherhood among all citizens -- whether Kurdish, Sunni or Shiite, as well as other components. Q: What about the external actors seeking to sow discord among the components of the Iraqi people? A: External actors must not seek to incite discord among the components of the Iraqi people. We hope that love and harmony will prevail among the internal and external components, but within a framework of mutual respect; hence, no external actor should interfere in the fraternal relations among the people of one nation. As for the State, it views relations with other countries according to the concept of economic and other interests. Thus, other countries seek rapprochement with Iraq because of its important strategic location, in addition to the fact that Iraq is a historical civilization dating back to time immemorial and has a powerful people with determination and resolve. Without this, Iraq would have collapsed. But, by the grace of Almighty Allah, the people always renew themselves and their energies. Q: The leader Saladin was Kurdish. Is he a source of pride for you? A: We are the descendants of Saladin, who led the Islamic armies and liberated Jerusalem. We, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, thank the wise government represented by leader Masoud Barzani, who gave us an experience in Iraq that we are proud of. We own a part of Iraq called Kurdistan, which was once mountains and today has become towers. We have watered this civilization with our blood. We follow the path of our late father, Mustafa Barzani, and the old leaders, as well as many leaders who stood with the Kurds, such as Sayyid Mohsen Al-Hakim, who has left a wonderful mark on the Kurds. Q: It is said that our Kurdish brothers do not like assimilation and intermarriage with Sunnis or Shiites. What is your response to that? A: Unfortunately, a few Sunni and Shiite religious figures have described the Kurds as a tribe of jinn, and that intermarriage with them is forbidden. The Kurds are people of relationships and loyalty. My maternal uncles are Arabs, my paternal uncles are Kurds, and we intermarry with Arabs. Q: Did the overthrow of Bashar Al- Assad affect the Kurds in Syria? A: We believe that the Kurds in Syria should have many rights, just like the Kurds in Iraq. They should be accorded special status, appreciation, and respect, just like us. We were very happy when the new Syrian government included some Kurdish leaders. We hope that peace will prevail in Syria in general, and for the Kurds in particular. Q: Do you think that Syria is progressing after Bashar Al-Assad or the opposite? A: We hope the new regime in Syria learns from the mistakes of the previous regime, especially since Syria possesses much potential and will return to being one of the best countries. On rumors that he is the son of 'Hoshyar Zibari', he stressed, 'This is not true. Leader Hoshyar Zibari is from my tribe, and we are connected only by tribe. I am honored by that, but he is not my father. I am proud of him as an Iraqi Kurdish political figure, not being my father.'
Arab Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Cabinet assesses notable diplomatic outcomes, affirms strategic alliances
KUWAIT CITY, April 16: The Kuwaiti Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Bayan Palace, chaired by Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Abdullah Al-Moushejri provided a briefing on the meeting's key outcomes. The Cabinet was updated on the state visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Kuwait from April 14 to 15, 2025, during which official talks were held with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, energy, healthcare, education, and tourism. The two sides issued a joint statement emphasizing their determination to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in multiple sectors. The joint statement highlighted the importance of finalizing the demarcation of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi maritime border, ensuring compliance with international law, and protecting Kuwait's sovereignty. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to Security Council Resolution No. 833 (1993) and the Maritime Navigation Agreement in Khor Abdullah. The statement also reiterated Kuwait's support for the return of Kuwaiti property, including national archives, and humanitarian efforts regarding missing persons and prisoners. In addition, the statement emphasized that the Dorra gas field lies entirely within Kuwait and Saudi Arabia's maritime territories, rejecting any claims to the area by other parties. The Cabinet was also briefed on the recent visit of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya to Antalya, Türkiye, where they led the Kuwaiti delegation at the Fourth Antalya Diplomatic Forum, held under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam presented updates on the outcomes of the joint annual meetings of Arab financial institutions and the 16th session of the Council of Arab Finance Ministers, which were hosted in Kuwait. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and other senior officials attended the meetings. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef emphasized the importance of deeper Arab economic cooperation, youth empowerment, and support for small and medium enterprises, aligning with Kuwait's ongoing commitment to development initiatives. Additionally, the Cabinet heard a briefing from Minister of Information, Culture, and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Badah Al-Mutairi on Kuwait's participation at Expo Osaka 2025. The Minister reported on the opening of Kuwait's pavilion, under the theme 'Lighthouse of the Future,' highlighting the country's contributions to arts, culture, innovation, and youth development. The exhibition runs for six months, with participation from 158 countries. Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Saud Al-Omar presented updates on the implementation of the Kuwait-Google Cloud framework agreement, which aims to enhance digital government services while ensuring data security. He also shared details about the launch of the 'Newborn Journey' service on the unified government app Sahel. This service streamlines processes for newborn registration, including issuing a civil number, birth certificate, and civil ID. The Cabinet praised Minister Al- Omar and his team for their efforts in advancing digital government initiatives, which aim to simplify procedures and improve public service efficiency. Finally, the Cabinet reviewed and approved several agenda items and referred others to relevant ministerial committees for further study and action.(KUNA)
Shafaq News
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kuwaiti journalist Al-Saeed apologizes to Iraq, withdraws from political life
Shafaq News / On Monday, Kuwaiti journalist Fajr Al-Saeed issued a formal apology to the Iraqi people for her previous statements and positions. In her apology, Al-Saeed emphasized that 'her work has always aimed to document and strengthen Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations, urging both nations to move past old grievances and heal longstanding wounds.' She formally apologized to the Republic of Iraq—addressing its government and people, including Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—and announced her decision to withdraw from all forms of political work, including political criticism. The Kuwaiti Public Prosecutor issued a decision on Sunday to detain Al-Saeed for 21 days as a precautionary measure, referring her to the central prison. She is expected to appear before a detention renewal judge to determine whether her detention will continue until her trial date. This marks the second such incident in a short period; in January, Al-Saeed was detained for a similar duration on charges related to advocating normalization with Israel and harming Kuwait's national interests. That case was based on a complaint from the Ministry of Interior, which accused her of violating the unified boycott law of Israel No. 21 of 1964, a statute that criminalizes any dealings or calls for normalization with Israel. Al-Saeed, a prominent and often controversial figure in the Gulf media landscape, has previously voiced strong opinions on issues such as the suppression of freedoms, constitutional violations, leaks, corruption, and mismanagement within the government and Prime Minister Al-Sudani's office. At the end of last year, she revealed that Al-Sudani had filed a lawsuit against her in response to her statements on these subjects.
