The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah, continued his talks in Damascus yesterday before moving to Beirut today as part of his tour aimed at reaffirming Kuwait’s support for Syria and Lebanon regarding developments in the peace process.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah met with Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, who reiterated Syria’s support for Kuwait’s just demands for Iraq to disclose the fate of its prisoners and cease its threats to Kuwait’s security and stability. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa.
Among the various topics discussed by Sheikh Mohammed were Iraq, bilateral relations between the two countries, and regional conditions. Sheikh Mohammed praised Syria’s honorable stance towards Kuwait, which was evident in its condemnation of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the sending of Syrian forces to the war front to liberate Kuwait.
He also emphasized the important role Syria could play both regionally and internationally, particularly through its seat on the UN Security Council, in addressing the plight of Kuwaiti prisoners still held by Iraq for over 11 years.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for stability and security in the Gulf region through Iraq’s respect for its commitments to implement international resolutions, cease its threats to Kuwait and its neighbors, and stop its repeated provocations.
The discussions between the Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Syrian Vice President also covered regional issues in light of the serious escalation of Israeli actions against Palestinians in the occupied territories, as well as the topic of terrorism following the September attacks in the United States and the upcoming Arab summit to be hosted by Lebanon in March.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed Kuwait’s concern over the aggressive policies of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government against the Palestinian people and its threats against Syria and Lebanon. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s solidarity with Syria in its efforts to regain its occupied lands.
