RAMALLAH: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said his visit to Palestine attests to Kuwait’s continuous support of the Palestinian cause, no matter what circumstances arise. Arriving at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah – heading a Kuwaiti delegation to attend the opening of the 10th Palestinian International Book Fair – he told KUNA “the Palestinian cause has always been a primary one in our collective conscience for which we have assiduously worked toward realizing the rights of the Palestinian people”.
He added that “we have come to let the Palestinian people know that we stand by them and hope that they surmount the difficulties in their lives”. He voiced appreciation of the Kuwaiti people and leadership for the invitation extended by the Palestinian leadership to Kuwait to attend the book fair as a guest of honor and as the capital of Islamic culture for 2016. “We are happy and proud to take part in the book fair along with our Palestinian friends and affirm the continuation of Kuwaiti-Palestinian relations under all circumstances, as the two peoples harbor love and respect for each other,” said the minister.
Regarding his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, the Kuwaiti minister said he discussed with the president important Palestinian issues including dedicating all resources to establishing a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital city. Sheikh Salman noted that he would be meeting with a number of Palestinian officials to discuss with them issues of bilateral concern, among them those dealing with youth, culture and media. He stressed that Kuwait was open to cooperation with Palestinians in all fields of interest.
Referring to the city of Al-Quds or Jerusalem, he said: “Undoubtedly, Al-Quds bears a significant Arab, Islamic and worldwide cachet and is part of our collective Arab conscience and we never cease to support it in all ways and means and look forward to having east Al-Quds or east Jerusalem become the capital city of a Palestinian state.” He said his visit, along with the delegation accompanying him, to the city of Al-Quds or Jerusalem and praying in the Al-Aqsa Mosque left an indelible impression on him and those with him, stressing his aspiration that the rights of the Palestinians be restored and that the city of Al-Quds or Jerusalem becomes a city for “all people.”
Secretary-General of the Palestinian Presidency Al-Tayeb Abdulrahim told KUNA that such visits as that of the Kuwaiti minister and the delegation with him mean that “communication between us Palestinians and Arab officials is ongoing and continuous and that the Palestinian cause remains a rallying cry for all Arabs”. He emphasized that Kuwaiti-Palestinian relations go back numerous decades and that Kuwait has a special place in the hearts of the Palestinian people. He thanked the Kuwaiti leadership and people for their formidable support of the Palestinian cause and people over the years.
Abbas on Friday spoke highly of the long-standing supportive stance of the Kuwaiti leaders, government and people towards the fair question of Palestine. “The frequent visits by the sons of Kuwait to Palestine signal their solidarity with their Palestinian brothers, a noble sentiment that we hold in high esteem,” Abbas said during his meeting with Sheikh Salman in Amman.
In statements to KUNA and Kuwait TV, the Palestinian leader extolled HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his instructions to support the Palestine cause. He stressed the need for all Arab countries to adopt robust and crystal clear stances at all international forums in support of the Palestinian people in their quest for a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Sheikh Salman said he conveyed to Abbas and the Palestinian people a message of fraternity and appreciation from HH the Amir. He expressed gratitude for the invitation to attend the Palestinian book fair, saying this fair provides a new chance to strengthen the cultural cooperation. “Kuwait is sending a large delegation to the event out of keenness on the cordial ties and solidarity with the brotherly people of Palestine,” he said. Sheikh Salman noted that his meeting with Abbas reviewed the bilateral ties and regional issues, with emphasis on the Palestine question which remains to be “a top priority for Kuwait”. – KUNA
