Latest news with #LawNo.42
Shafaq News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Arab Summit in jeopardy over Khor Abdullah fallout
Shafaq News/ Iraq's upcoming Arab League summit, scheduled for Saturday in Baghdad, may face significant setbacks following regional tensions over the Khor Abdullah waterway dispute, a senior Iraqi lawmaker warned on Sunday. Mokhtar al-Mousawi, a member of parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, told Shafaq News that the renewed controversy over the maritime boundary with Kuwait could lead to high-level Arab boycotts. 'The recent uproar over Khor Abdullah has created a serious obstacle for the Baghdad summit,' al-Mousawi said. 'Following the Gulf Cooperation Council's statement, there is a real possibility that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE may skip the meeting.' He added that Qatar may align with those countries, and if Doha stays away, 'Syria will likely follow, which would deepen the diplomatic rift and cast a shadow over the summit's success.' The warning follows public criticism from Iraq's Parliamentary Transportation Committee, which last week rejected any discussion with Kuwait at the summit that involves compromising Iraq's position on Khor Abdullah. The dispute centers on a ruling by Iraq's Federal Supreme Court, which in September 2023 annulled Law No. 42 (2013)—the legislation that ratified the bilateral agreement between Iraq and Kuwait over navigation in Khor Abdullah. The court's decision was met with strong opposition from GCC states, which view the 2013 agreement as binding. In response, President Abdul Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani filed separate appeals with the court on April 15, requesting a reversal of the annulment and reaffirming Iraq's commitment to the treaty. The court postponed final ruling again on April 30, leaving the issue unresolved just days before the summit. The Arab League summit, set for May 17 in Baghdad, is being positioned by Iraqi officials as a platform for regional dialogue on key files—including Palestine, economic integration, and anti-terror cooperation. However, al-Mousawi cautioned that if key Gulf states withdraw, the summit's credibility and effectiveness could be undermined. 'These concerns are not speculative—they are real, and they demand urgent diplomatic engagement,' he said. Government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi previously denied reports of any Arab state declining to attend, stating that all 22 member states had confirmed their participation.
Arab Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait's oil sector drives push for safer workplaces
KUWAIT CITY, May 8: Minister of Oil representative at the 12th International Conference on Occupational Safety, Health and Cybersecurity and acting Director General of the Environment Public Authority (EPA) Nouf Behbehani has affirmed the commitment of the ministry to provide all the necessary facilities to industrialists as part of the expansion of craft and industrial enterprises supporting the oil sector. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference organized by the American Society of Occupational Safety and Health Professionals-Kuwait Branch on May 7-8, Behbehani pointed out that EPA Law No. 42/2014 and its amendment, Law No. 99/2015, require all parties to implement health and occupational regulations in newly established industrial facilities in order to obtain professional and preventative accreditation. She stressed that the authority is striving to facilitate the process of obtaining approvals and accreditation for facilities in accordance with the regulations, indicating EPA has adopted an open-door policy for all professionals and industrialists. She explained the accreditation for entities seeking to implement quality must take into account occupational health and preventive regulations, while emphasizing the need to provide awareness opportunities for the industrial and oil sectors and all sectors involved in hazardous work. She praised the role of the conference organizers; considering this a crucial step in keeping up with developments in the fields of security, safety, and protection from fires and disasters. Moreover, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Safety Professionals Fadel Al-Ali revealed the conference focused on the latest developments in health and safety technology and policies, procedures and changes 'that make us more determined and committed to implement them.' He said the conference workshops included stakeholders from governmental and private entities; as well as specialists in health, safety and the environment, with the aim of improving performance and keeping pace with developments. He added the oil and industrial sectors are the most impacted by security and safety operations. 'Therefore, the society focuses on these entities and their participation. The Ministry of Oil and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are the sponsors of the conference. Challenges are ongoing; hence, the need for joint action to overcome them,' he stressed. He urged all stakeholders in the oil, industrial and contracting industries to be updated on global requirements and policies, as well as utilize and implement best practices. He said the conference tackled more than 20 working papers, including research on regional and global security and safety issues. CEO of the American Society of Occupational Safety Professionals - Kuwait Branch Eng. Bader Al-Hadrami stated that artificial intelligence currently provides valuable opportunities to develop the occupational safety and health systems, including modern mechanisms that help implement requirements quickly. He added the 12th edition of the conference focuses on diverse experiences, with more than 200 participants, to achieve the greatest possible benefit for those who participate in the workshops and lectures. He stated that the most difficult challenge is cybersecurity, which has prompted the society to focus on it, based on emerging solutions. He said the discussions set specific standards for measuring the risk index in protection and developing optimal solutions. Conference Director General Ahmed Ismail said that after 25 years of conference work, this year's conference seeks to achieve the greatest possible success by discussing the latest developments in the field of health and safety, with the aim of producing the best recommendations that serve participants locally and regionally. He disclosed that the conference participants include ministries, government agencies, oil sector companies and the private sector -- all of whom are interested in the fields of health, security, and safety. He added that the cost of implementing international safety standards is estimated at tens of millions of dollars annually, with the amount varying from one entity to another; depending on the region, entity and surrounding risks. He pointed out that spending on security and safety has increased over the past 10 years, given the heightened focus on these areas. Occupational Safety Consultant Mansour Fayez Al-Maghamsi explained that his participation in the exhibition stems from his membership in the American Society of Occupational Safety Professionals. He also presented a working paper on occupational safety and health management in petroleum refineries, as it is the main pillar for aircraft refueling and other industries. He said the society boasts of extensive expertise in cybersecurity and other areas needed by many sectors, in addition to providing members and others with the latest developments in the field of occupational health and safety.
Shafaq News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq court delays ruling on Khor Abdullah treaty challenge
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Wednesday postponed its ruling on legal appeals filed by Iraq's President Abdullatif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who are seeking to reverse a landmark decision that invalidated the 2013 Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. The court rescheduled its decision to June 22, 2025, extending a high-profile legal battle over Iraq's commitment to a key international treaty. In September 2023, the court declared the parliamentary ratification of the Khor Abdullah agreement unconstitutional, sparking diplomatic tensions and prompting President Rashid and PM al-Sudani to file separate petitions urging the court to reconsider. A source familiar with the case told Shafaq News the appeals demand the court overturn its previous ruling and reinstate Law No. 42 of 2013, which ratified the agreement governing maritime navigation between Iraq and Kuwait. Raed al-Maliki, a member of parliament, welcomed the delay. 'The postponement is better than a ruling that might favor the government,' he said in a Facebook post, calling for 'greater public and media mobilization to expand the circle of pressure in support of the court's position.' The Khor Abdullah agreement, signed in 2012 and ratified by Iraq in 2013, aimed to regulate navigation in the strategically sensitive waterway shared by both nations. The treaty became a point of contention after the court ruled that the ratification process violated constitutional procedures. In his appeal, Rashid argued that the court's ruling undermined Iraq's obligations under international law, citing Article 8 of the Iraqi Constitution, which commits the country to honor treaties and maintain good neighborly relations. Al-Sudani echoed that view in his filing, referencing the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. He warned that dismissing the agreement would harm Iraq's international credibility and violate the principle that internal laws cannot justify noncompliance with international commitments.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Central Bank Rejects Proposals to Invest Gold Reserves
The sharp rise in the market value of Lebanon's gold reserves has sparked renewed debate over their potential use to support the country's financial recovery. However, the central bank remains firm in its stance against any move to liquidate or invest the reserves, citing strict legal restrictions and the risks of mismanagement. A senior financial official, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, acknowledged the significance of these discussions, particularly as the central bank's updated figures estimate Lebanon's gold holdings at around $28 billion. However, he emphasized that before considering any new policies, a full qualitative audit of the reserves is necessary to determine their exact value, weight, and historical origins. Lebanon officially holds approximately 286.8 tons of gold, or 9.25 million ounces. This reserve was accumulated under the 1963 Monetary and Credit Law to back the Lebanese lira. Currently, two-thirds of the gold is stored securely at the central bank in Beirut, while the remaining third is held at Fort Knox in the United States. Despite the growing interest in leveraging this asset, Lebanese law strictly prohibits any direct or indirect transaction involving the gold. Law No. 42 of 1986 mandates that any sale, leasing, or investment of the reserves must receive explicit approval from Parliament. Acting Central Bank Governor Dr. Wassim Mansouri has reaffirmed this restriction, stating unequivocally: 'No matter what happens, I will not sign off on moving even a gram of gold.' Mansouri also highlighted the dangers of using reserves irresponsibly. Before Lebanon's financial collapse in late 2019, the central bank held around $33 billion in foreign currency reserves, while gold reserves were valued at $16 billion. The cash reserves were largely depleted through unsustainable subsidy programs, leaving only $8.5 billion today. 'We lost one and a half times the value of our gold, and it didn't solve anything. The idea of using gold is simply not an option,' he said. While some policymakers argue that investing the gold could generate much-needed revenue, financial experts warn that without proper governance, such a move could lead to further mismanagement. Instead, they stress the need for deeper economic and institutional reforms. A key priority is securing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure financial discipline, transparency, and oversight. Any decision regarding the gold reserves would require parliamentary approval and a clear, well-justified plan. However, financial experts argue that Lebanon already possesses vast state-owned assets that, if managed properly, could help close the country's estimated $72 billion financial gap. These assets include coastal and riverfront properties, 850 million square meters of state-owned land, high-value real estate in Beirut and other cities, as well as key infrastructure such as electricity, water, telecommunications, ports, and transport networks. Many of these resources remain underutilized due to corruption and inefficiency.
