Kuwait calls for Israel to join N-arms ban
NEW YORK, Sept 27, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Wednesday reiterated Arab calls for Israel to join the NonProliferation Treaty, with its nuclear facilities subject to global scrutiny.
This comes amid the need to create a Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, along with ballistic missiles, he told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
Alongside conflicts and terrorism, the global threat of these weapons is “no longer a hypothesis,” he said, in spite of global conventions, treaties and agreements calling against their use.
Sheikh Sabah cited the recent firing of ballistic missiles, testing of nuclear warfare and use of chemical weapons — in reference to the Yemen-based Houthi militia, backed by Iran, Syria and North Korea — as examples.
The minister said that Saudi Arabia’s civilian and religious communities are currently being exposed to “unprecedented attacks” by Houthi militia, using Iranian-made ballistic missiles.
Kuwait reiterates its utter condemnation of these attacks, he underlined.
Moreover, in spite of Iran’s implementation of Security Council Resolution 2231 on its nuclear activities, Kuwait remains concerned about UN reports indicating Iran’s continuing support and financing of the Houthis and other armed groups in the region, he said.
This threatens the security and stability of the region and shows a clear breach of an Arab League resolution, which calls upon Tehran to cease actions that adversely affect the security and best interests of the region.
Kuwait is also concerned over the use of chemical warfare, as has been the case in Syria.
The minister said that attacks like these could only be tackled through multilateral action under the UN umbrella, but also stressed the importance of achieving the universality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
On this, he commended diplomatic efforts to disarm North Korea’s nuclear capabilities currently being carried out.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled met Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.
They discussed the two countries’ deep-rooted bilateral relations, the latest developments on the regional and international spectrums and issues of mutual significance, during their New York-held encounter.
Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s Office Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for Gulf Cooperation Council Affairs Nasser Al-Mezayyin and Kuwait’s Permanent UN Representative Mansour Al-Otaibi were also in attendance.