MPs Warn Kuwait against Iran Meet on Syria

Kuwaiti lawmakers on Wednesday warned the government of the Gulf state against taking part in a meeting in Iran over the Syrian crisis, accusing Tehran of aiding the Damascus regime.

"Kuwait's participation in Tehran meeting is rejected because Iran hands are stained with the blood of the Syrian people," opposition Islamist MP Walid al-Tabatabai said in a statement.

"In addition, this meeting aims to rescue the regime of (Syrian President) Bashar Assad," the lawmaker said.

A top aide to the Iranian foreign minister visited Kuwait on Sunday and handed a letter to Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah.

Local media said the letter invited Kuwait to take part in the meeting on Thursday that was called by Tehran for countries having a "realistic position" on Syria.

Kuwait has not so far officially confirmed or denied its participation.

Iran is the main ally of the beleaguered Syrian regime which since March 2011 has been waging a battle against an increasingly armed opposition.

Another opposition Islamist MP Jamaan al-Harbash said "Kuwait's participation in the meeting would be a betrayal for the blood of the (Syrian) martyrs."

Mubarak al-Waalan, an independent opposition lawmaker charged that Iran is politically and militarily involved in "killing our brothers in Syria."