5/5/2010
Kuwaiti FM lauds UN support for Iraq''s security, stability, sovereignty
UNITED NATIONS, Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah commended, Tuesday evening, the UN's efforts to support the security and stability of Iraq, its sovereignty and the unity of its territories.
This came during a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Speaking to KUNA following the meeting between Ban and Sheikh Mohammad, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi told KUNA that the talks between the two officials were "very positive." He said that during the meeting, Sheikh Mohammad expressed hope that Iraq would complete its vote recount and that a government would be formed as soon as possible, while reiterating the support of the State of Kuwait to Iraqis.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister noted that his country was visited by several Iraqi officials after the elections.
Kuwait "looks forward to the formation of an Iraqi government, and the development of bilateral relations to a level that is better than the current one," Sheikh Mohammad was quoted as saying.
Al-Otaibi said that the viewpoints of the two officials were identical in relation to requiring Iraq to fulfill its remaining obligations, as stipulated in UN Security Council resolutions issued under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and the need for continued cooperation on the part of Baghdad in fulfilling these commitments.
The Kuwaiti ambassador, who attended the meeting, said that the UN secretary general thanked the State of Kuwait for its contributions and support to Haiti and its reconstruction, and highlighted Kuwait's keenness to support UN activities and to make donations at all occasions.
On the Iranian nuclear file, Al-Otaibi said that the Kuwaiti foreign minister stressed that countries had the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, adding that Sheikh Mohammad briefed Ban on Kuwait's cooperation with other countries, such as France, for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, such as for water desalination.
Sheikh Mohammad also underscored the importance of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference, and hoped that its goals would be realized, while emphasizing the importance of commitment on the part of signature countries.
The conference is an opportunity for renewing commitment to the NPT and its articles, Sheikh Mohammad was quoted as saying.
Moreover, Al-Otaibi said that the foreign minister expressed support for the content of the speech delivered by the UN secretary general at the opening of the conference on Monday, in that it was important to implement the decision to make the Middle East free of nuclear weapons, and for Israel to join the NPT.
Al-Otaibi added that Ban lauded efforts aimed at the resumption of indirect negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and commended the Arab initiative supporting these talks.
(end). Kuna
