A major landmark in Kuwait to be named after late Saud Al-Faisal - Acting PM

KUWAIT, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- A major landmark in Kuwait is to be named after the late Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, said Acting Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday night.
This cabinet-approved decision came in recognition of the deceased's rich journey and multifaceted contributions, especially towards Kuwait and its people, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said in a speech at a ceremony held by the Arab and International Relations Council in honoring the late Saudi foreign minister.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled pointed to the fact that he was "honored" to work directly with Prince Saud in the last few years, "and I sensed authenticity of his virtues, abundance of his giving, greatness of his stances and opinions, as well as discretion of his diplomacy." He carried on saying that the late prince "elevated Gulf and Arab diplomatic standards, and made a noble mission out of diplomatic work." He added that Kuwaitis shall never forget Prince Saud's words during the early days of the Iraqi invasion back in 1990 when he said "we would not sleep until Kuwait returns ... Kuwait will be liberated." The late Prince Saud Al-Faisal carried Arab concerns and causes in his heart and thought, said Sheikh Sabah AL-Khaled, stressing that the Palestinian cause was Prince Saud's main concern, for he was one of the most prominent advocate of the Arab Peace Initiative, as he once said "If this initiative did not provide security for Israel, I assure you that the barrel of a gun will not either." Meanwhile, Chairman of the Arab and International Relations Council Mohammad Al-Saqer said Prince Saud Al-Faisal passed away after spending 40 years as a foreign minister, during which he showed complete dedication for his job.
He said that council members had planned to honor the deceased during the holy month of Ramadan earlier this year but Prince Saud passed away before that.
Al-Saqer said Prince Saud would be missed a lot.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, a council member, praised Prince Saud's "honorable" support of the Lebanese causes, foremost his quest to stop the civil war.
He said Prince Saud demonstrated a courageous position when the Iraqi regime invaded and occupied Kuwait in August 1990, when he told a UN meeting in New York that if the Arab countries could not end the Iraqi occupation, the Arabs should work with the international community to free Kuwait and bring back the legitimate leadership. (end) hb