Berri in Kuwait: Our People Drawing Lessons from Past, Won't Sacrifice Lebanon on Altar of Tensions
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Sunday the “ongoing initiatives” by the Gulf state of Kuwait to support Lebanon, voicing hope that Muslims would consolidate ties.
Berri, who is currently in Kuwait on a two-day visit, discussed with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah the conditions of the Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
Lebanon is struggling under the weight of nearly one million Syrian refugees, who are testing its already limited resources.
Berri expressed hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Gulf countries, in particular Saudi Arabia, would rectify their ties, pointing out that this matter will have a positive impact on the region.
Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council led by oil powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which has long viewed Iran as a regional rival.
Iran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, while Saudi Arabia backs the Sunni-led rebellion.
Besides Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the GCC groups Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited four Gulf states in December, skipping Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and called for opening a new page in relations with the Sunni-ruled bloc.
Berri also called on Kuwaiti authorities to remove the travel ban to Lebanon.
Kuwait had previously advised its citizens avoid travel to Lebanon and its nationals currently present in the country to leave due to the unstable security situation.
For his party, the Emir of Kuwait stressed that his country is keen to “put all its potential to assist and support Lebanon in various fields.”
Berri also held talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah in presence of Lebanon's ambassador to Kuwait Khodor al-Halwi.
The speaker later met with his Kuwaiti counterpart Marzouq al-Ghanim.
“We stress to you that our people are drawing lessons from the past and won't offer Lebanon as a sacrifice on the altar of tensions and the settling of scores, especially after the cabinet was formed following a strenuous process,” Berri said at a joint press conference after the meeting.
Berri was expected to kick off on Friday a tour on several Arab and European countries but he delayed his visit until the cabinet was formed.
On Saturday, PM Salam unveiled a compromise government, capping nearly 11 months of political wrangling.
The tour began in Kuwait and is expected to include the Islamic Republic of Iran, Germany and Albania.
16 February 2014, 08:48
33
Hails country's unwavering support to Lebanon? More like unwavering support of terrorism in Lebanon.
16 February 2014, 08:51
52
Who is this corrupt creature to be given audience in world capitals?!
16 February 2014, 16:28
44
Calls Muslims to unite, when? In the year 4000 AD? A call for unity from the king of disunity? The Ali Baba rat that has blocked Lebanon's parliament, stolen billions, twisted almost every law, meets and calls for unity? If plague is known to humans in English, then Arabs would have to devise a new meaning before they revive such a person as Berri, and why? because Arabs are known for being so divisive, Muslims are no better and we Christians suffer from just that same plague. Let Berri's team play with different words for heavens sake!!!
16 February 2014, 21:06
01
Josephani, the moment you tell me to be ashamed of myself is the moment that I tell tell you that you've rendered your argument irreverent, personal and devoid of any substance. My criticism is directed at Berri, and under no circumstance was I aware that he was so intricately linked to you. Since you follow my posts so closely, you would have then come to know for yourself that I very much avoid debating rather debasing with fellow posters. being neutral certainly doesn't render emasculate in my opinion, so I will rephrase it for you and all, Nabih Berri is a RAT by excellence and without any doubt cannot expect to receive any form of respect from my likes.
16 February 2014, 17:12
33
compared to you he might be so ...... it is all relative josephani (did you use to be josh bustany before you transformed?)
16 February 2014, 21:09
01
You see Josephani, you are name calling fellow posters, and that my friend is something that you should be ashamed of. 3ayb 3aleyk ya akh, I am sure you are old enough to avoid getting that far. Your posts can be intelligent without such name calling, you've insulted Geagea and others, fine by us all, but now calling Gaby as Shaby, walaw ya akh? Let's move without having to go that low, wallah, 3ayb.
