BEIRUT, (KUNA): After meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said Friday that the leaderships of Kuwait and Lebanon were seeking to further bolster relations on all possible fields. Speaking to the press at Baabda Palace, Al-Ghanim said that he conveyed a verbal message from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to President Aoun during the meeting. The message reflected the Kuwaiti leadership’s keenness on supporting and assisting Lebanon “through thick and thin,” said Speaker Al-Ghanim who commended the Lebanese honorable stance during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and subsequent liberation in 1991. In regards to agreements signed during President Aoun’s visit to Kuwait recently, Speaker Al-Ghanim said that “all the agreements between Kuwait and Lebanon where either already unanimously approved by the National Assembly or in the process of being accepted.” Answering a question regarding a travel ban on Kuwait citizens to Lebanon, Al-Ghanim said that there was no such policy being implemented, noting that as of now, there were around 14 flights between the two countries on a daily basis.
Invitation
Al-Ghanim also answered a question regarding President Aoun’s invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit Lebanon, affirming that it would occur when the date and time were suitable. Kuwaiti National Assembly’s MPs Mohammad Al-Dallal and Khaled Al-Shatti in addition to Kuwait’s Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaal Al-Qinai attended the meeting between Speaker Al-Ghanim’s and President Aoun. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Aoun lauded Friday His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s sincere support and stance towards his brethren in Lebanon. In a statement by the Presidential office during his meeting with Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, President Aoun affirmed the strong Kuwaiti stance on issues pertaining to Lebanon’s security and welfare as well as issues connected with the Arab region. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah dealt with various dilemmas plaguing the region in a wise and thoughtful manner, said President Aoun who commended the Kuwaiti role in defusing the Lebanese civil war, which swept the country in the past.
Relations
On the strong Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations, the president said that it was a natural reflection of both countries desires to boost ties further. In regards to the verbal message conveyed by Speaker Al-Ghanim from His Highness the Amir, President Aoun thanked His Highness Sheikh Sabah for his brotherly gesture and sincere wishes for Lebanon and its people. He asked Speaker Al-Ghanim to convey a similar message to His Highness the Amir and the people of Kuwait, wishing them further progress and welfare. According to the presidential office, President Aoun had reviewed with Speaker Al-Ghanim the Lebanese government’s plans to develop the country economically. President Aoun also touched on the issue of Syrian refugees, affirming that the world most bring on a peaceful solution to the crisis. In the meantime, talks with Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Al-Hariri were positive and topics of common concern were discussed, Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said on Friday.
The Kuwaiti Parliament expressed its backing to Lebanon and its government, Al-Ghanim told reporters in a statement after the meeting with Al-Hariri. Al-Ghanim said that it was an honor for him and his accompanying delegation to meet with the designated Premier Al-Hariri. He added that he conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Prime Minister to Al-Hariri during the meeting. He noted that all Kuwaiti people wish Lebanon stability, peace and brilliant future, expressing his confidence that Al-Hariri is able to overcome huge challenges facing Lebanon. He confirmed that Lebanon’s stability is the stability of all Arab countries, mainly Kuwait, voicing his pride for the relations between Kuwait and Lebanon. He thanked Al-Hariri for the invitation, the warm reception and hospitality. The Speaker expressed his confidence in the wisdom of Al-Hariri and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to find the best way for bilateral cooperation so as to overcome economic challenges.
Marzouq Al-Ghanim praised on Friday his country’s “distinctive” parliamentary relationship with Lebanon. Al-Ghanim made his remarks to reporters after holding talks, along with his accompanying parliamentary delegation, with Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berri in Beirut. During talks, the Kuwaiti side benefited significantly from Berri’s long parliamentary experience and reiterated its “special” ties with the Parliament of Lebanon, he said. The two sides also discussed bilateral coordination regarding their membership at the Inter- Parliamentary Union, in addition to the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union’s emergency session on the Palestinian cause, slated for July 21 in Cairo, he added. The Kuwaiti top lawmaker also lauded the harmony existing between the two countries on all levels, including leaderships, parliaments, and governments, adding his meeting with Berri has embodied that harmony.
