KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah (right), Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait Rami Tahboub (center) and the ambassador’s wife Rima Al-Khaledi attend the Palestinian Embassy’s celebration of Palestine’s 27th Declaration of Independence. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said that the series of terror attacks that rocked the French capital Friday have proved that terrorism is a global phenomenon and innocent people anywhere are targets for terrorists.

"Paris terror attacks vindicated our conviction that all of us are targeted and that terrorism is a global phenomenon," Jarallah said in a statement to reporters on the sidelines of his participation in the Palestinian Embassy's celebration of Palestine's 27th Declaration of Independence.

"The world is in an open war with terrorism and that war will not stop till defeating it," he said, pointing out that Kuwait has expressed its heartfelt sympathy over the tragedy and solidarity with the friendly country France.

"Such attacks will only increase French people's resolute and determination on combating terrorism," Jarallah said. He recalled that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud have underlined the need to intensify international efforts to eradicate terrorism in their cables to the French President Francois Hollande following the attacks.

Vienna talks

Meanwhile, Jarallah said that Vienna-hosted talks on Syria have reached some kind of compromise over the future of Syria. "What was leaked about the outcome of the talks indicates that there was some sort of joint vision among participants on the future and solutions of the Syrian crisis," Jarallah told reporters. He, however, said that resolving the conflict requires more consultations to persuade various parties of any compromise. He pointed out other meetings would be held to build up on the achievements of the two previous ones.

On His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's recent visit to Russia, Jarallah said that it was "historic and an important step in the Kuwait-Russian relations." "The Russian side was "eager to listen to the view and vision of His Highness the Amir regarding the developments in the region, and they indeed listened very carefully to this view," he said, adding that "the Kuwaiti side also listened to the vision of the Russian side which was headed by President Vladimir Putin."

Jarallah said Kuwait and Russia shared the view that the Syrian conflict should be resolved peacefully. He said last week's visit to the Russian resort city of Sochi was "constructive and fruitful," resulting in the signing of cooperation agreements in diplomatic, military, oil, cultural, investment and transport domains. The visit was an opportunity to exchange views over the threat of terrorism, said Jarallah.

Palestinian cause

During the event, Jarallah reaffirmed Kuwait's firm support to the fair cause of Palestine, and the legitimate struggle of Palestinians for self-determination and statehood.

"Kuwait always stands by the Palestinian people in their political struggle, supported the Palestinian revolution and contributes to the efforts being made to revive the Middle East peace process and reach a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause," he said.

"The leaders of the Palestinian revolution started their drive from Kuwait and continued their legitimate struggle for liberation over the last decades," he pointed out. He added that preparations are underway for holding the session of the Kuwaiti-Palestinian joint commission which will discuss a host of political issues, including the Arab lobbying for Palestinian statehood.

The Palestinian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by late president Yasser Arafat during the 19th Palestinian National Council - the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), on November 15, 1988. - KUNA