KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday Minister of Information and State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Nasser Al-Jabri, Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Nabil Abu Rudaineh, Omani Minister of Information Dr Abdul Monem bin Mansour Al-Hasni, Bahraini Minister of Information Ali Al-Rumaihi, and the Arab League Assistant Secretary for Social Affairs Ambassador Baderaddin Alali on the occasion of the 16th Arab Media Forum's session, held in Kuwait. The meeting was attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received Acting National Assembly Speaker Essa Al-Kandari, as well as Acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Amir's role
Meanwhile, Palestinian Information Minister Abu Rudaina hailed His Highness the Amir's role on the Palestinian issue. Speaking to reporters, after meeting His Highness the Amir, he said Palestinians "appreciate Kuwait's national and regional role" on the matter. "We will never forget that (Palestinian political party) Fatah had great beginnings in this hospitable country, and this historic relationship, between Palestinians and Kuwaitis, has continued through the ages. We have all the faith and appreciation in the Kuwaiti role, particularly amid its Security Council membership," said Abu Rudaina.

The Arab region is facing a "huge conspiracy" aimed at weakening it, and forcing it to abandon its holy sites, he warned. "We will move across all fronts to defend our rights and we will not allow the 'Deal of the Century' conspiracy to go through," he said. Commenting on the rumored deal, the minister said it leaves Jerusalem out of the equation, underlining that "without Jerusalem, there would be no Palestinian state, no peace, no stability, and no security. We will never accept settlement or the annexation of Arab land." He went on to urge Arab nations to stand together in the face of suggested proposal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is currently meeting Arab League counterparts in Cairo, and will then travel to Europe in a mission aimed at rallying support for his cause as Palestinian delegations prepare to meet officials in China, Japan and Russia on the matter, the minister said.

Congratulation letter
In other news, His Highness the Amir received yesterday a congratulation letter from the Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Dr Rola Dashti. In the letter, Dr Dashti conveyed her congratulations on honoring His Highness the Amir by the World Bank in recognition of his role in supporting economic and social development on both Arab and international levels. She appreciated the gratitude of the international community for humanitarian initiatives of His Highness that aims to support and develop different countries regionally and internationally.
Dr Dashti praised His Highness's efforts to enhance peace and security, praying Allah Almighty to bless His Highness the Amir with perpetual well-being, and to achieve the aspired progress and prosperity for Kuwait under his wise leadership. In return, His Highness the Amir sent a cable to Dr Dashti, thanking her for her warm sentiments. In the cable, His Highness the Amir confirmed that this honor is a tribute to the State of Kuwait and its people, and to proof the prestigious status of Kuwait among other countries of the world because of the adopted initiatives.

Kuwait initiatives aims for achieving the requirements of sustainable development in various countries of the world and supporting humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of those affected by Wars, conflicts and natural disasters. His Highness the Amir expressed his sincere wishes to bestow everyone in the service of the dear homeland and raise Kuwait's flag in various regional and international forums. - KUNA