All African countries appreciate Kuwait's pioneering role - AU chairman

CAIRO, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- All African countries appreciate Kuwait's pioneering role in achieving development in the continent, a senior official said Thursday.
"African heads of state and leaders have nothing but admiration and appreciation for His Highness the Amir (of Kuwait) Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah," said Moussa Faki, Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission.
His remarks came during a meeting with Acting Assistant Foreign Minister for Africa Affairs Counselor Hamad Al-Mashaan at the AU's headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Faki recalled the "historic" visit and speech of His Highness the Amir at the AU in July 2012. He also pointed out the USD-five-million His Highness donated back then to build a medical center within the Union's vicinity to serve diplomats and employees at the Union alike.
Revealing he will pay a visit to Kuwait in the near future, Faki voiced the AU's "full support" of His Highness the Amir's mediation efforts in the Gulf crisis.
On his part, Al-Mashaan extoled the AU's role in achieving peace and stability in Africa, especially in Somalia.
He also expressed Kuwait's appreciation of the Union's "successful" diplomatic efforts that helped achieve "actual closeness" among neighboring countries of the Horn of Africa.
Kuwait, as an observer at the AU, would continue cooperating with its member states in a bid to achieve a vision of a peaceful, developed, prosperous and conflict-free Africa continent, noted Al-Mashaan. (end) ms.hb