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21:21 GMT
KUWAIT, Oct 26 (KUNA) -- Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud
said Friday his nation would never become a passageway or shelter for any
force in the world.
This came in a press statement after inaugurating his nation's new embassy
building at Kuwait's embassies zone.
Asked if Saudi Arabia would allow the US to use any of the Gulf's military
bases to attack Iran, Prince Sultan said his country was not "a crossing point
or shelter for any force in the world."
Commenting on Iran's declaration to attack the Gulf region if assaulted by
the US, Prince Sultan said it was not in Iran's interest to harass any side.
As for the issue of the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) islands occupied
by Iran, he said this was a complex issue and these islands were Arab no
matter what claims were made by Iran or any other side.
He said the new embassy did not only belong to Saudi Arabia as it was both
Arab and Islamic, adding that establishing it in Kuwait did not make it an
embassy in the traditional sense, but rather an embodiment of Kuwaiti-Saudi
diplomatic cooperation.
Regarding Kuwait's care for about 120,000 Saudi nationals residing in it,
he believed they were lucky to be in this nation.
On his part, Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr.
Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said this building was not only an embassy,
but it was also Saudi Arabia's house in Kuwait.
He hoped both nations would always be close through further mutual respect
as part of their 200-year historical ties, noting that such relations could
not be described with words.
Asked if Prince Sultan's visit included discussing matters such as oil and
borders, Sheikh Mohammad said these issues had been taken care of a long time
ago a they were jointly settled since 1965.
Regarding extraordinary measures in the face of potential Iranian threats
in the region, he believed there were not any Iranian threats against Kuwait,
noting that every nation in the world has the right to take self-protection
measures.
As for Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Fayez, he said the
embassy's inauguration was a historical occasion, adding that Prince Sultan's
patronage of this occasion came from his deep respect for Kuwait.
This embassy would handle administrative affairs that would be limited in
light of distinguished Saudi-Kuwaiti ties and constant consultations between
the two nations' leaderships, he said.
Al-Fayez said before heading to Kuwait that he had met with Saudi King
Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Prince Sultan and Interior Minister Prince
Naif who all stressed serving Saudi citizens residing or visiting Kuwait.
The embassy will do its best in serving all Saudi citizens in accordance
with rules and regulations, said Al-Fayez.
The inauguration was also attended by Governor of Riyadh Prince Salman bin
Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, as well as head of the accompanying mission of honor and
chairman of Kuwait's National Security Apparatus Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad
Al-Sabah. (end)
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KUNA 270021 Oct 07NNNN