By Nawaf Al-Diqbasi (with photos)
KUWAIT, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- Kuwait would not allow its territory to be used for attacking any country in the region, Acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah affirmed on Sunday.
During a meeting with well-wishers of the military leadership and command of the Ministry of Defense for Eid Al-Adha, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak denied reports that US troops would be based in Kuwait or on Boubyan island after their withdrawal from Iraq, or existence of any plan to increase their number in the country.
Figure of US troops in Kuwait is specified according to agreements between the two countries, he said, adding that Kuwait would be a crossover only for the withdrawn US troops from Iraq returning home, adding that a number of the American forces had already withdrawn, and the pullout of the remaining troops was expected by the end of 2011.
As for intention of Kuwaiti Army participation in facing labor strikes that are taking place in the country, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said the army would not intervene in such protests, except in certain cases of urgent necessity.
Labor strikes are messages addressed to concerned local authorities, but they should not cause any damage to the country or destroy one of its facilities, he elaborated.
In response to a question about plans by members of parliament to grill executives and possibility of dissolving the government or the National Assembly (Parliament), he said that the country is invoked by a constitution, adding that this issue is in the hands of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
As for MPs' reported intention to interpellate the Minister of Defense, he stressed that the Minister swore in front of His Highness the Amir and the parliament, thus he would abide by this constitutional right in the event of any such questioning.
Furthermore, the minister said that he will discuss with the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Defence the subject of promotion for some of the Kuwaiti Army personnel, stressing his strong belief that promotion should be for those who deserve it.
He also congratulated Saudi Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz for his appointment as Minister of Defense, succeeding the late Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz.
The reception was attended by Kuwait's Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmad Khaled Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieut-General Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Head of the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Major General Saleh Meshari Al-Homaizi and other senior officials.(end) nnd.abd.mao KUNA 061316 Nov 11NNNN