Bolstering regional peace and security

CUSTODIAN of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman arrived in Kuwait City on Thursday on the last leg of a four-nation Gulf tour.

At the Kuwait International Airport, the King was accorded a warm reception by Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other Kuwaiti leaders.

King Salman held wide-ranging talks with Sheikh Sabah at Bayan Palace later Thursday. The talks focused on efforts to boost historic bilateral relations and cooperation in all domains. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as the means to strengthen joint Gulf action.

During the reception, Sheikh Sabah decorated King Salman with the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabir and Order of Kuwait, the most prestigious medals of Kuwait. The honoring came in recognition of King Salman’s remarkable efforts and achievements to maintain the security and stability of Saudi Arabia, as well as to bolster ties between the Kingdom and Kuwait, and strengthen relations among the Gulf states.

The King also attended a dinner hosted by the emir.

Earlier, King Salman was given an official reception at Bayan Palace. The King and Emir Sheikh Jaber attended the traditional Ardah dance held as part of the reception.

King Salman also held talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

In a statement issued earlier, Sheikh Sabah warmly welcomed the Saudi monarch and the accompanying delegation to Kuwait. “This graced visit clearly reflects the good and fraternal bonds between the leaderships and peoples of both the countries that have stood together in face of hardships and dangers,” the Emir said.

Sheikh Sabah lauded the historic and pivotal role played by the Saudi leadership and people in support of the Kuwaiti cause following the flagrant aggression of Saddam Hussein in 1990. He recalled in this context the bravery of Saudi forces that took part in the liberation of the country.

He noted the great achievements that have been made during King Salman’s era, elevating the Kingdom’s regional and international status. Sheikh Sabah also hailed King Salman’s firm and brave policies and his foresightedness in bolstering regional security, peace and prosperity, hoping that the visit would result in further cementing of the distinguished ties between the two countries.

Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Abdul Aziz Al-Faiz said the royal visit will help bolster the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. “The King’s visit comes at a time when the Gulf region and the Arab Nation are facing external interventions, threatening the security and stability of the region,” he said adding that the two states would work hand in hand to confront these threats and interventions.

Earlier, the King, who left Manama after attending the 37th GCC summit, was seen off at Al-Sakhir Air Base by Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa. He was also seen off by Prince Khalifa Bin Salman, prime minister; Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad, deputy supreme commander and first deputy prime minister; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak, deputy prime minister; sheikhs, senior officials, Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdul-Malik Al Alsheikh, and the embassy Staff.

In their meeting on Wednesday night, King Salman and King Hamad exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest between the two countries. Both leaders also attended a luncheon on Thursday hosted by Prime Minister Prince Khalifa. The banquet was also attended by Prince Khalid Bin Fahd, Prince Mansour Bin Saud, Prince Muhammad Bin Fahd and a number of princes and ministers.

Later, in a cable sent to King Hamad, King Salman thanked him for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation during the visit to the Kingdom and attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit. “We were delighted to meet the Gulf leaders and renew the determination to move forward in strengthening the march of our Council to serve the interests of our countries and peoples. The meetings held with Your Majesty allowed us to renew the bonds of brotherhood and love between our two sisterly countries,” the King said.
 

New cause way

King Salman and King Hamad of Bahrain have agreed to carry out studies about building King Hamad Bridge parallel to King Fahd Causeway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The plan is to implement the project with private sector financing, the Saudi Press Agency reported.