Kuwait helps move 648 terrorists
KUWAIT CITY, March 8: Deputy Foreign Minister Mansour Al-Otaibi said Kuwait, in cooperation with international partners, has contributed to the transfer of approximately 648 terrorist fighters and their families from 12 countries on various continents from conflict areas to their countries of origin, since September 2019, out of a sense of responsibility and based on the principle of cooperation with friendly countries. reports Al-Qabas daily.
At the same time, Al-Otaibi denied the existence of Kuwaiti families among the 648 families.
This came in a press statement on the sidelines of a meeting of the working group concerned with preventing the flow of foreign fighters emanating from the international coalition against ISIS, which was hosted by Kuwait and concluded its work yesterday.
He pointed out that Kuwait had, on several occasions, secured and facilitated the transfer of families of foreign terrorist fighters, including women and minors, and their easy and smooth hand over to their respective countries through Ali Al-Salem Air Base.
Al-Otaibi said that Kuwait is making great efforts in the field of combating terrorism and draining its sources, coinciding with its active role as a member of the international coalition against ISIS, stressing its keenness to coordinate between the coalition countries to combat ISIS in cooperation and coordination with the United States and other countries.
He added that the issue of combating terrorism requires continuous coordination, meetings, modernization of mechanisms and continuation of work.
He pointed out the meeting -- which is the second to be hosted by Kuwait -aims to work on finding a clear mechanism towards reintegrating the fighters into their societies after undergoing rehabilitation programs preceded by fair trials, and then work to rehabilitate them in the required manner in accordance with the principles of human rights.
He reiterated Kuwait’s emphasis on the importance of states’ commitment to take all necessary measures to combat terrorism in all its forms and types under international humanitarian law, believing in the importance of the great role played by the United Nations and its affiliated bodies in consolidating the foundations of security and stability in various parts of the world.
On the Kuwaiti position on Syria’s return to the League of Arab States, especially after the apparent rapprochement between Syria and some Arab countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mansour AlOtaibi said: “Kuwait’s position has not changed, as Syria’s membership in the League of Arab States has been suspended by the League’s decision, and its return must be according to a decision from the league as well, and this is Kuwait’s official position on this issue.”