Security in Iraq "no cause for concern", says Kuwait chief lawmaker

KUWAIT, July 17 (KUNA) -- There is no reason to be alarmed over the security situation in Iraq amid nationwide protests over poor state services and a lack of job opportunities, Kuwait's top lawmaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said on Tuesday.
"It is incumbent upon us as lawmakers to allay the Kuwaiti people's concerns and assure them that the government is prepared for any sort of emergency situation or even a worst case scenario," he said in a statement after the end of a meeting called at the behest of some MPs.
Al-Ghanim emphasized that Kuwait "does not seek to meddle in Iraq's internal affairs," saying that the country is merely trying to fend off any adverse implications that instability in Iraq could have on its smaller neighbor.
"We don't want to blow the matter out of proportion but we are ready for all possibilities," added Al-Ghanim, who presided over a meeting earlier today involving 23 lawmakers and senior government officials to examine the consequences of a lapse of security in Baghdad.
Kuwait's chief lawmaker said that the government has taken all precautionary measures, including contacting international organizations, in the event the situation in Iraq degenerates into bedlam.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said that stability in Iraq is among Kuwait's "chief" concerns.
"Kuwait stands by Iraq in this time of turmoil," Al-Saleh said, highlighting that instability in Baghdad would have ripple effects across Kuwait.
Unrest over poor state services has swept cities across Iraq over the past week, putting the government of Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi between a rock and a hard place. (end) fn.td.nam