Top Kuwaiti lawmaker raps bids to isolate Sudan
CAIRO: Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq AlGhanem yesterday categorically rejected all attempts to
undermine, punish, isolate or unilaterally pressure Sudan. Ghanem made the remark during an Arab parliament sitting held at the Cairo-based Arab League to look into how to lift Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. “We were optimistic when unilateral US sanctions on Sudan, which lasted around a quarter of a century, were lifted a couple of years ago. Also, we were optimistic when it was announced two months ago that US-Sudanese talks would be held in order to get Sudan out of the US list of state sponsors of terrorism,” he said.
In this context, Ghanem stressed by saying: “We want a stable, secure and prosperous Sudan. We should encourage and back every step Sudan takes for reform, development and public welfare.” The Kuwaiti parliament speaker reiterated a principled position towards all policies that target Sudan, recalling that the Kuwaiti parliament had called on Arab MPs to move to exert pressure on the US Congress to end US sanctions on Khartoum. In late 2017, the efforts had led to an end to the US economic sanctions on Sudan, he said, noting that the US should lift Sudan from its terror list. However, Ghanem called on all Arab countries and their parliaments to seek seriously to help Sudan get out of the US list of state sponsors of terror. In other news, Ghanem met yesterday with Chairman of Saudi Shura Council Sheikh Dr Abdullah Al-Sheikh. During the meeting, they discussed on ongoing efforts to lift Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. They also considered many files related to cooperation between both sides, ways of uniting positions, along with issues to be discussed at upcoming international and continental parliamentary meetings. Meanwhile, Ghanem met with the Speaker of Iraqi Council of Representatives Mohammad Al-Halbousi. They discussed coordination over issues to be discussed during international events. — KUNA