LOC16:22
13:22 GMT
LONDON, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Defense Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad
Al-Sabah lauded here Friday the robust and long-standing defense ties between
the State of Kuwait and UK.
The Kuwaiti top defense official, also First Deputy Prime Minister, made
the statement following his meeting this morning at Whitehall in the heart of
the British capital with British Defense Secretary Liam Fox in the presence of
the Kuwait's ambassador to London and doyen of the diplomatic corps Khaled
Al-Duwaisan.
Further, Sheikh Jaber expressed in a statement to KUNA following the
one-hour meeting his utmost satisfaction over his talks with Fox, noting that
the goal behind his visit to the British Minister was to get acquainted with
him and congratulate him on his new tenure following the parliamentary
elections last May.
He also said that he exchanged views with the British top defense official
on the issues of common concern to the Arab Gulf region and to Kuwait in
particular.
In addition, he stressed the significance of the deep-seated ties between
British and Kuwaiti armies, making clear that such bonds started with the
formation of the Kuwaiti army, especially as Kuwaiti armed forces possess
sophisticated British weapons with a significant role to the Kuwaiti military.
He also pointed out that his discussions with the British official touched
on some other issues of common interest including terror combat and the key
role played by British intelligence services in this respect with both top
officials stressing coordinating efforts when it comes to the fighting of
terrorism.
The Kuwaiti high-profile official also said that talks tackled some,
"defense systems" possessed by the British military and needed by the Kuwaiti
army.
He also pointed out that talks focussed on some topics of interest to the
Kuwaiti citizens like the latest measures taken by the British government on
the entry visas and residence in UK.
The Kuwaiti top defense official expressed his thanks for the British
government for its major participation in the 50th anniversary of Kuwait
independence and the 20th anniversary of Kuwait liberation.
Finally, Sheikh Jaber extended invitation to Fox to visit the State of
Kuwait.
(end)
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KUNA 151622 Oct 10NNNN