Kuwait Amir’s Representative decries Iranian attacks on GCC states
Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, international law and peaceful solutions as the foundations for regional and global stability. Addressing the UN General Assembly, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah stressed the importance of protecting sovereignty, ensuring freedom of navigation and pursuing diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said the State of Kuwait and the other members of Gulf Cooperation Council as well as the Kingdom of Jordan have come under despicable Iranian aggression since last February though they are not party to the conflict in the region.
The Iranian attacks with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones represent a flagrant violation of the international law, the international humanitarian law and the UN Charger, he said in speech to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
He conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir to the newly-elected President of the UN General Assembly Dr. Khalilur Rahman, of Bangladesh, wishing him success in reforming, and restoring trust in, the UN Organization.
He said the brutal Iranian attacks targeted, systematically and recurrently, civilian property and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, power and water stations, oil facilities, which reflects an aggressive approach aiming to disrupt life and vital infrastructure.
“Those attacks claimed lives and injured a number of innocent civilians, and inflicted huge material damage,” His Highness the Amir’s Representative regretted.
“In an effort to inflict further harm on the economies of the countries of the region and the entire world as well as the international trade and oil markets, Iran is obstructing maritime navigation and closing the Strait of Hormuz in order to use it as leverage in the war, in a manner that violates international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
“In this regard, the State of Kuwait expresses its profound appreciation to the fraternal and friendly countries that have stood by it and demonstrated solidarity with it, as well as to the sponsors of the Security Council Resolution 2817 and other resolutions issued by the Human Rights Council and the International Maritime Organization.
Those resolutions condemned the Iranian aggression as a threat to international peace and security, called for its cessation, affirmed the inherent right of states to self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter, and stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation without restriction or condition,” he pointed out.
“Based on its belief that the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf constitute a fundamental pillar of regional and international peace and stability, as demonstrated by the repercussions of the war and Iranian attacks, the State of Kuwait reiterates its support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and reaching a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
“The State of Kuwait commends the efforts and mediation by the sisterly State of Qatar and the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and emphasizes the need to reach sustainable regional understandings based on a firm commitment to the principles of goodneighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, refraining from the use or threat of force, ending support for proxies and militias, and addressing the security concerns of all countries of the region, including Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aircraft.
“The State of Kuwait stresses the need to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation and the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” His Highness the Amir’s Representative said.
Dealing with Kuwait’s foreign policy, His Highness the Amir’s Representative said his country adheres to, and is guided by, the principles of the UN Charter, particularly respect for the principle of neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs of other states.
“From this perspective, the State of Kuwait regards the brotherly Republic of Iraq as a neighbor with whom we share close relations and as a partner in security and stability. “Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, Kuwait has been keen to support Iraq and stand by it in confronting its security, political, and economic challenges, with the aim of restoring its regional and international role and standing, in the belief that a stable, secure, and prosperous Iraq represents a shared interest for Kuwait and the region as a whole.
“In this context, the State of Kuwait commends the steps taken by the Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi to place weapons exclusively in the hands of the state and strengthen Iraq’s bilateral relations with neighboring countries. “We look forward to strengthening confidence-building measures between the two countries, advancing bilateral relations toward broader and wider horizons, and resolving all outstanding issues between the two countries, foremost among them completing the demarcation of the maritime boundary beyond Marker 162, in accordance with the rules of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“We also stress the importance of complying with the bilateral security and technical agreements and understandings signed between the two countries, foremost among them the Agreement Regulating Navigation in Khor Abdullah and the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol. “These constitute legal and practical instruments for regulating navigation, protecting the environment, combating terrorism and illicit trafficking in arms and drugs, and enhancing common security.
“The State of Kuwait calls upon Iraq to cooperate with the High-Level Representative of the UN Secretary- General, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2792, in order to achieve the desired progress and results in determining the fate of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons, as well as nationals of third countries, and in recovering Kuwaiti property, including the national archives,” he said.
Regarding the Palestine question, His Highness the Amir’s Representative said renewed Kuwait’s principled and steadfast position in condemning the recurrent violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly people of Palestine, who continue to suffer from difficult living conditions and circumstances under policies of displacement, arrests, and settlement expansion.
“We call for the full implementation of the comprehensive peace plan and its subsequent phases adopted by the Security Council in Resolution 2803, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupying forces from the Gaza Strip, ensuring the flow of humanitarian assistance, and the return of the Palestinian Authority to the Strip, while reaffirming that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories.
“In this regard, we welcome the measures and decisions taken by the United Kingdom, France, and several other states condemning settlement activities, imposing sanctions on settlers involved in acts ofviolence and terrorism against Palestinians, and banning the import of goods and products from settlements.
“The State of Kuwait affirms that achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region remains contingent upon ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate and inalienable rights, and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4,1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he underscored.
On Yemen, he said the “brotherly republic” witnesses a dangerous military escalation as a result of attacks launched by the Houthi group against several areas along the western coast, threatening navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“In this regard, the State of Kuwait renews its full support for the efforts led by the United Nations aimed at reaching a comprehensive and sustainable settlement led by the Yemenis, in accordance with the three agreed-upon references and the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.
“The State of Kuwait affirms that any political settlement should preserve Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity; bring an end to the suffering of its brotherly people; and open avenues for security, stability, and economic development. “We also stress the importance of safeguarding the security and safety of international maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“We also condemn, in the strongest terms, the attacks carried out by the Houthi group against the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, targeting civilian and economic facilities in a number of cities. “We reaffirm that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of the State of Kuwait and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council states,” he went on.
As for Syria, he reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for the sisterly Arab republic, welcoming the steps and measures undertaken by the international community to lift the sanctions imposed on the country and remove its name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
“We also reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at rebuilding state institutions and advancing an inclusive and comprehensive political process, led by Syrians and with the effective participation of all components of the Syrian people, in a manner that meets their legitimate aspirations for security, stability, and a dignified life.
“We stress the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and the unity and territorial integrity of its land. “We condemn and reject the attacks and incursions by the Israeli occupation forces into Syrian territory, given that they represent a dangerous escalation and a violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, and contribute to undermining security and stability in the region.
With regard to the sisterly Lebanon, he stressed the importance of state institutions and the necessity of enabling them to exercise their full authority over all Lebanese territory, while ensuring that arms remain exclusively in the hands of the state, in a manner that strengthens Lebanon’s sovereignty and safeguards its security and stability.
“We also emphasize the importance of maintaining an independent international presence along the Blue Line, in order to ensure the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. “We renew our call for Israel to withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories,” His Highness the Amir’s Representative noted.
On the situations in Sudan, Somalia and Libya, he reaffirmed the need of adhering to peaceful solutions and engaging in political dialogue to resolve disputes, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the principles of international law, in a manner that guarantees the unity and territorial integrity of these sisterly states and their sovereignty.
He reminded that Kuwait’s foreign policy is based on firm principles centered on moderation and balance, a steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and international law, support for multilateral action, and the conviction that dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes are among the most effective means of preserving international peace and security. “The State of Kuwait also believes in the complementary relationship between security and development: there can be no security without development, and no development without security.
“Building on this vision, Kuwait has embodied its development and humanitarian diplomacy through the pioneering role of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which since 1961 has contributed to financing development projects in 107 countries around the world. This reflects its conviction that addressing the root causes of crises cannot be limited to security-based approaches, but requires supporting development programs, providing the foundations for a dignified life, and building societies that are more capable of resilience and stability.
“At the national level, Kuwait is moving confidently toward achieving Kuwait Vision 2035 by accelerating the implementation of development projects, diversifying its economy and sources of income, continuing its digital transformation, empowering women and youth, developing its legislative framework, and strengthening governance and transparency. “These efforts seek to enhance institutional efficiency and economic competitiveness and consolidate the State of Kuwait’s position as a leading financial, commercial, and cultural hub in the region,” he added.
“My country has experienced the hardship of occupation and the bitterness of aggression and has suffered from the wars that have ravaged – and continue to ravage – our region for four decades. From this experience, it has come to understand the reality that peoples are the ones who pay the price of conflicts.
“It has also recognized the importance of the world standing united in support of justice and adherence to the principles of the Charter and international law.” His Highness the Amir’s Representative said.
“From the depths of that experience, we have developed a firm conviction that peace is a position dictated by wisdom and protected by strength; that dialogue does not diminish rights, but rather safeguards them; and that security is not protected by force alone, but is strengthened by justice, safeguarded by the rule of law, and protected by the principles of international legitimacy.
“The message of the State of Kuwait, which it has believed in both word and deed, and to which it will remain committed, is this: Just peace is the path to stability, and respect for the sovereignty of states, protection of the rights of peoples, and recourse to international law in resolving conflicts are indispensable pillars for the security and stability of states.
The State of Kuwait will remain, as the world has come to know it, a voice of wisdom and moderation – supporting dialogue, cooperation, and openness to partnerships in a manner that advances shared interests and mutual benefits; standing in support of justice; and serving as a partner in consolidating international peace and security.
“This reflects its conviction that peace is the path toward a future in which rights are protected, nations enjoy stability, and generations live in security and prosperity,” he concluded. – KUNA
