Kuwaiti appointed first Arab League observer at UN Geneva office

Kuwait’s permanent representative to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi

NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed late Friday to approve Kuwait's draft press statement on the Israeli use of brute force against innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This is the second statement of its kind in response to the use of brutal force by Israeli against protestors in the Gaza Strip, which resulted so far in the death of 10 people and the injury of over 1,000 others.

The statements called for launching an independent investigation into the evident violation of human rights carried out by Israel against Palestinians who should be allow to peacefully protest against those causing them harm. Before submitting the document earlier Friday, the permanent representative of Kuwait to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi hoped that no member country would object the statement anew.

Kuwait, during the session, distributed a draft press statement but the US objected it. "The wording did not represent the position of Kuwait or the Arabs to what is happening in Gaza, but Kuwait wanted it to be balanced and acceptable by all parties," said Al-Otaibi. Kuwait, he added, has always supported Palestinian legitimate rights and that the Security Council should act to what was happening in Gaza. He urged UN Secretary General to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into killing of Palestinian people, who have been protesting peacefully.

Al-Otaibi also said Israeli authorities, the occupying power, should exercise self-restraint, respect international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as respect right of people to peaceful demonstration. Kuwait will always call upon the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable legally, politically and morally for "the massacres committed against the Palestinian protesters," which killed more people including children. Last week, Kuwait called for an urgent UN Security Council session last week to discuss developments in Gaza when Israeli forces shot dead 15 Palestinians and injured over 1,400 others.

Arab League observer

In another development, Kuwaiti Ambassador Ali Al-Sammak submitted his credentials to Director-General of UN Office in Geneva Michael Moller as the Arab League's permanent observer there. Al-Sammak, the first Kuwaiti ambassador to hold the post, was named observer by the 149th Session of the Arab League Council (Foreign Ministers) in Cairo in March. Meanwhile, Al-Sammak and Moller agreed to work harder for further cooperation to facilitate the task of the League's mission to the UN Geneva Office. Al-Sammak was Kuwait's ambassador to Canada (2010-2016). He was Director of the Americas Department at the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry (2008-2010). In 2003, he was Ambassador of State to Argentina, and earlier envoy to the Netherlands (1991). From 1885 to 1991 he was councilor at the Kuwaiti embassy in Brussels and deputy chief of the Kuwaiti mission to the European Economic Community (EEC) - (the European Union). - Agencies