NNA – Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, received today Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, accompanied by the Chargé d'Affairs at Kuwait's Embassy in Lebanon, Abdallah Sleiman al-Shaheen.

The Kuwaiti official presented the Interior Minister with a Gulf message bearing on the procedures and steps to be taken in order to eliminate any dispute.

Mawlawi welcomed the visit by the Kuwaiti Minister and Charge d’ d'Affairs, and praised Lebanon’s relations with its sisterly countries that are devoted to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

“I confirmed to His Highness and His Excellency the position of Lebanon, and the position of the Ministry of Interior over all matters occurring inside Lebanon which could constitute verbal or physical harm to the State of Kuwait or the rest of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Mawlawi said, adding, “I presented all the measures taken in this context, especially with regards to controlling the borders, detecting and controlling drug networks and preventing their smuggling, and also pertaining to the verbal harm that could befall the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Lebanon.”

Mawlawi said he confirmed the application of the Lebanese laws and emphasized utmost commitment to what lies in the interest of Lebanon, particularly in terms of preventing any evil or harm of any kind that could befall the Arab countries that have demonstrated all affinity and support for Lebanon historically and in all its stages and crises, and in every aggression against Lebanon. “These are our duties and we believe in building the state, which is what our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries desire, and as they have always helped us, they will help us in building the state,” he maintained.

In turn, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister said: "I was pleased to meet my brother, His Excellency the Minister of Interior in brotherly Lebanon and outlined all matters, the first of which is related to Lebanon as being the distinguished icon of human civilization in the Arab Orient. Lebanon is a center and a platform for culture, literature, art and science, and this is not achieved through Lebanon being exploited by any party to carry out any aggression, verbal or physical act, and His Excellency assured me in this regard and reviewed the actual measures taken by the Lebanese authorities and his personal endeavor to put an end to these incidents so as not to be repeated in the future.”

"We are appreciative of this matter, and there is a responsibility on the Lebanese state, and God willing, we will see more actions in this respect,” Minister Al-Sabah continued, commending Minister Mawlawi’s efforts especially during the past four months in addressing some of the gaps in the security fields and finding solutions to them, which are appreciated by the Gulf countries.

=========R.Sh.