Lebanese PM lauds Kuwait for 'support in all hard times'

March 08, 2010

KUWAIT: Visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri praised yesterday the State of Kuwait for the assistances it offered to his country in all hard times especially after the Israeli aggression in July, 2006. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi here, the Lebanese premier said his current visit to Kuwait aimed to coordinate the stances of the two sisterly nations on all issues of common concern and improve the bilateral economic, commercial and business ties. "Every time we come to Kuwait we renew gratitude to the Kuwaitis for their great assistances, firm support and historical stances on Lebanon issues," he affirmed.

The talks between Al-Khorafi and me have explores ways to cement cooperation and exchanges between parliamentarians of the two countries," he said, urging for constant review of the activities of the joint parliamentary committees to serve the interests of both sides.

Dealing with his meeting with His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah earlier in the day, Hariri said: "The talks focused on the political developments in the Middle East and the recent Israeli threats to Lebanon as well as all challenges facing the Kuwait and Lebanon.

Asked about the volume and kind of Kuwaiti assistances promised by Kuwaiti leaders notably HH the Amir, Hariri said the investment funds affiliated to Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) usually assess Lebanon's needs in the domains of infrastructure, education, healthcare and socio-economic development then finance the projects in these vital domains.

Responding to a question about the preliminary report issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, he said the tribunal needs more time get to the bottom with the case. "We, as a government and people, have to wait and see what the tribunal will reveal about the attack of February 14, 2005, in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri," he noted. "The assassination of Al-Hariri is a capital crime against, and great loss for, not only the Lebanese but the entire Arab nation," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Al-Khorafi hailed the current visit of Saad Al-Hariri to Kuwait, voicing hope for more such exchanges to further cement the bilateral ties.

He said his meeting with the Lebanese premier focused on relations between the Kuwaiti National Assembly and the Lebanese House of Deputies.