Amir hopes victory over IS would achieve support for Iraq

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with the president of the Federation of Journalists of Iraq Moaid Jassem Allami and his accompanying media delegation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is set to patronize and attend the official inauguration of Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI) today. The venue starts at 10:00 am in Bayan Palace.

His Highness the Amir referred to the great importance of holding the conference in which several donor countries, and international and regional organizations as well as private sectors take part, with the aim of rebuilding Iraq and mitigating suffering of millions displaced and affected by the war against terrorism.

The conference reflects Kuwait's humanitarian message, His Highness the Amir said during a meeting with president of the Federation of Journalists of Iraq Moaid Jassem Allami and his accompanying media delegation, lauding all efforts by the two countries aiming to repel any attempt seeking to affect negatively their ties.

During the meeting which took place at Bayan Palace on Monday, His Highness the Amir offered his congratulations to Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi as well as all Iraqis on defeating the so-called Islamic State (IS).

His Highness the Amir expressed his hope that the victory would achieve support for Iraq and its people, and contribute to unifying their ranks. His Highness the Amir stressed Kuwait's backing to Iraq and Iraqis, which is manifested through holding the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. His Highness the Amir voiced his hope that stability and peace would prevail in Iraq and the region.

Respected leader

His Highness the Amir received yesterday at Bayan Palace US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the delegation accompanying him on the occasion of their visit to the country. His Highness also received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marie Eriksen Soreide. All receptions took place with presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The reception were attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir is a "very respected regional leader," Soreide said after the meeting. "I was asking his perspective both on the fight against IS and the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq," she noted, adding "it was really an honor to meet His Highness."

She said that she had also asked His Highness the Amir about the role that His Highness and Kuwait have taken in hosting the reconstruction conference. "It is most timely, it is needed and I think that we can achieve good results," she said. "I took the opportunity also to say that we enjoy excellent bilateral relations between Norway and Kuwait. I think that in the future we will deepen our cooperation even further; both through our respective embassies but also through visits and I hope that we now have a series of incoming business from Kuwait to Norway and we will do everything we can to accommodate that in the best possible way." - KUNA