Foreign Minister, US envoy discuss IS, Iraq reconstruction
KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad AlSabah received yesterday Brett McGurk US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS). They discussed, during the meeting, current preparations for upcoming ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against the so-called Islamic State (IS), due in Kuwait on February 13. They also examined the remarkable progress in encountering the IS, as well as boosting international efforts to dry up its funding resources. McGurk praised the distinguished Kuwait’s efforts and contributions to the coalition in combating the terrorist organization, the IS, also known as “Daesh.” The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, beside other officials.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Nayef AlHajraf held talks with McGurk, along with accompanying officers, as part of Kuwait’s preparations for the planned international conference for reconstructing Iraq. The Ministry of Finance said in a statement that the two sides discussed means of combating terrorism funding, as a prelude to the convention, due to be hosted by Kuwait on February 12-14, under His Highness the Amir’s patronization. The meeting was attended by the director of operations at Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Marwan AlGhanem, the head of financial inspection unit Talal AlSayeh and the US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman.
Hajraf also held talks yesterday with French Ambassador to Kuwait Marie Masdupuy, during which France affirmed it will take part in the Iraq reconstruction conference. The meeting also focused on boosting cooperation between the State of Kuwait and France. The Ministry of Finance said in a statement that the discussions, involving the head of the economic mission at the French embassy Philippe Ghali, dealt with issues of common concern. The two sides lauded the distinguished bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, noting necessity of activating cooperation between Kuwait and Paris in various spheres. —KUNA