Kuwait Cabinet condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia, approves draft Arbitration Law
The Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sharida Abdullah Al-Maousherji outlined the key decisions and developments discussed by the Cabinet.
At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet was briefed on the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on his official visit to New York, where he will lead Kuwait’s delegation to the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 19 to 26.
The delegation includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Director General Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Ambassador Sadiq Mohammed Marafi, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States Sheikha Zain Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, and Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Tariq Mohammed Al-Bannai, along with officials from the Crown Prince’s Diwan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Cabinet strongly condemned the attempted attack on Mecca by a drone launched by the Houthi militia, describing it as an attack on the sanctity of Islam’s Qibla and an affront to the religious significance of the holy city and the feelings of Muslims.
Kuwait reaffirmed its absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to protect the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security, safeguard the Two Holy Mosques and preserve their sanctity. The Cabinet also commended the vigilance and efficiency of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces in thwarting the attempted attack.
The Cabinet stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the other GCC states. It also condemned Houthi attacks on civilian targets and civilians in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif using ballistic missiles and drones on Tuesday. The attacks resulted in injuries to civilians and material damage to residential properties and vehicles, according to the Cabinet, which described them as violations of Saudi sovereignty and international law and international humanitarian law.
Kuwait reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures aimed at protecting its sovereignty, security, stability and interests, as well as its citizens and residents.
The Cabinet also condemned the attack on the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones launched from Iraqi territory last Saturday. The attack resulted in casualties and material damage and was described by the Cabinet as a violation of Saudi sovereignty, international law and international humanitarian law, as well as a threat to the security of energy supplies.
The Cabinet said the attacks represented a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability. It stressed the importance of the Iraqi government taking necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used to launch such attacks, and working to stop them and prevent their recurrence.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the political and diplomatic efforts being undertaken by Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kuwait’s diplomatic missions abroad to monitor developments on the regional and international fronts.
On the digital services front, the Cabinet reviewed a presentation by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture Omar Saud Al-Omar on the unified government application for electronic services, Sahl, covering the period from January 1 to August 31, 2026.
The presentation included statistics on the Sahl application and the digital service journeys launched through the platform. The initiatives are designed to connect government services electronically, strengthen integration between government entities, improve efficiency, simplify procedures for citizens and residents and speed up the completion of transactions.
The Cabinet also approved a draft decree-law issuing a new Arbitration Law, recognizing arbitration as an important pillar of effective justice and a key element in strengthening confidence in the business environment.
According to the Cabinet, the proposed law aims to provide faster dispute resolution, specialized expertise and greater procedural flexibility. The draft was prepared as a comprehensive and independent arbitration law, drawing on established international systems and practices while maintaining the specific characteristics and established procedural terminology of the Kuwaiti legal system.
The proposed legislation seeks to balance the freedom of parties to choose arbitration with public-order principles linked to state sovereignty. It also establishes a comprehensive framework combining established Kuwaiti legal principles with developments in international and comparative arbitration systems.
The draft law provides for specific deadlines and streamlined procedures aimed at reducing the time required to resolve disputes. It also includes regulations governing arbitration involving government contracts, provisions limiting arbitrators’ liability and mechanisms intended to provide investors with swift dispute-resolution options and limited avenues of recourse.
The Cabinet submitted the draft decree-law on the Arbitration Law to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for consideration.
The Cabinet also reviewed several items on its agenda, including reports and minutes submitted by ministerial committees, and approved them. It further referred a number of other matters to the relevant ministerial committees for additional study and recommendations before the necessary procedures are completed.
— KUNA
