Defense minister vows impenetrable security - 5 MPs demand debate on situation

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said yesterday that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is in good health and will return to the country from the United States following a period of recuperation. HH the Amir travelled to the US a few weeks ago for medical tests and is currently recuperating there before returning to Kuwait.

Ghanem, who visited the Amir in New York, said that it was agreed with Sheikh Sabah that the start of the new Assembly term will be on Oct 29, meaning HH the Amir will be back before that date. The Amir inaugurates every Assembly term by delivering a key speech that tackles political and economic affairs.

Meanwhile, five lawmakers yesterday submitted a motion demanding a general debate at the start of the next term to clarify the government's policy over the breaching of Kuwaiti airspace and the readiness of security and military services to deal with such intrusions. The motion, signed by MPs Riyadh Al-Adasani, Osama Al-Shaheen, Mohammad Al-Dallal, Abdullah Al-Kandari and Thamer Al-Suwait, was based on the highly explosive regional situation, especially after the devastating attacks on Saudi oil installations on Sept 14.

The lawmakers want to know the reasons for the intrusion, which some MPs said included a drone and 16 cruise missiles, and the parties responsible for it with the aim to deal with it professionally and objectively. MPs also want to know the government's readiness to safeguard the security situation in the country. Kandari said a debate is necessary over these serious developments and the initial results of the investigation into how the intrusion happened and which country or side is behind it.

The motion coincided with a high-level meeting of the supreme defense council chaired by Acting Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and attended by top army commanders. The meeting at Seif Palace reviewed regional developments and precautionary measures taken, including raising the readiness level of part of the armed forces. The Kuwaiti military will do everything in its power to adopt stringent security measures to ensure the protection of the country's borders, Sheikh Nasser said. He urged media outlets to perform their duty at this critical time and called on the public not to pay heed to rumors.

Meanwhile, the Assembly's financial and economic affairs committee yesterday discussed in the presence of the finance minister amendments to the pensions law in a bid to make the legislation more beneficial for retired people. More meetings will be held to finalize the amendments.

By B Izzak