KUWAIT: Former Tunisian foreign minister Taieb Baccouche (left) speaks during a lecture at Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, as the institute’s Director General Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Sharekh looks on. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: Former Tunisian foreign minister Taieb Baccouche called on Arab nations yesterday remain united, to keep security in the Arab world intact. Delivering a lecture at Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, entitled" Development of Regional Events and its Effect on International Relations," Baccouche said that "security remains the primary goal, as any threat to one Arab nation is a threat to all."

It is imperative to form concerted and well planned strategies to overcome any challenges, Baccouche said. He also warned of negative implications of what he called, "foreign intervention" into internal Arab affairs. The former Tunisian foreign minister pinpointed Tuesday's "terrorist" attacks in Brussels as a "testament" to the spread of terrorism across the globe.

Moreover, Baccouche noted that the revolution in his country had a ripple effect on many nations across the Arab world. Speaking about a Tunisian national dialogue quartet's win of the Nobel peace prize in 2015, Baccouche hailed it as a victory for the civilian population.

Meanwhile, Baccouche said his lecture comes as part a series of agreements between his country and Kuwait, adding that he is hopeful of increased cooperation between both nations. Director General of Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Sharekh extoled Baccouche, as a man with extensive knowledge in political and educational realms.

The former Tunisian foreign minister previously served as the minister of education and official spokesperson of the government, in addition to chief of the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR). Deputy foreign minister Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and a number of foreign ministry officials, were in attendance at the lecture.

Brussels attacks

Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Sabah reiterated Kuwait's condemnation condemns the terrorist attacks that targeted an airport and a subway in Brussels on Tuesday, leaving in their wake numerous dead and injured bystanders.

"We condemn vehemently the terrorist attacks that took place yesterday in Brussels targeting innocent civilians," the official said following the lecture, reiterating Kuwait's condemnation of all acts of terror everywhere.

Regarding the lecture, he said Baccouch reviewed momentous events that have impacted the Arab world and Tunisia in particular in the past five years, which resulted in Tunisia in the adoption of the values of democracy, civil society, and the rule of law. The acting deputy foreign minister congratulated Tunisia on getting the Noble Peace Award and wished it much prosperity in the years ahead.

Earlier yesterday, Baccouch met with First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, in attendance of Sharekh, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Sabah and Deputy Minister for Arab World Affairs Ambassador Aziz Rahim Al-Daihani, as well as a number of senior foreign ministry officials. - KUNA