KUWAIT: British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis strongly condemned on Thursday the killing of civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid in Gaza. She made the remarks during a meeting with journalists at her residence as she approaches the end of her posting. Lewis called for “an immediate end to the conflict,” referring to the joint statement released by the UK and 27 other countries on July 21, 2025.

She also detailed the Embassy’s initiatives to fund specialist training for Kuwaiti medics deploying to Gaza, and its collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy and the British Consulate in Jerusalem to help small Palestinian businesses export their goods to Kuwait- with Lulu Hypermarket making a large order of foodstuffs earlier this year.

Reflecting on the past four years, Lewis lauded Kuwait’s “special and long-standing” partnership with the UK — noting that 2025 marks 250 years of bilateral trading ties. She also thanked the Kuwaiti people for their warm hospitality, recalling Ramadan diwaniyas and the Al-Qaffal ceremony marking the end of the pearl diving season as especially memorable cultural experiences.

Lewis highlighted February 2024’s rollout of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to Kuwaiti nationals as significant in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries. Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to Britain in 2024 — a 6 percent increase from 2023, with Kuwait Airways now offering 19 direct flights a week to London and Manchester. She also expressed delight that an ever-growing number of Kuwaitis are choosing to study at UK universities, with over 10,000 currently undertaking courses there.

Lewis reflected on the success of joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official UK-Kuwait diplomatic relations, rounded off by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s trip to Scotland to meet His Majesty King Charles III and discuss Kuwait’s partnership with the King’s Foundation. She also recalled His Highness’ August 2023 Guest of Government visit to London marking 70 years since the establishment of the Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund, during which he oversaw the signing of a landmark investment partnership.

Lewis noted that His Highness had travelled to the UK five times across her tenure, while Kuwait welcomed four UK Cabinet Ministers, including most recently the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in addition to numerous Ministers of State, senior officials and the Duke of Edinburgh.

She said Britain was now “close” to concluding a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the GCC, while praising the UK and Kuwait’s burgeoning international humanitarian partnership that has seen the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development announce lifesaving joint funding for communities in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia.

Lewis expressed confidence that her successor Qudsi Rasheed, who will arrive in September, would thoroughly enjoy his time in Kuwait, and that UK-Kuwait collaboration — be it in trade and investment; defence and security; education and culture; or climate and environment — would continue to go from strength-to-strength under his guidance.

KUWAIT: In a series of major security operations, the interior ministry, under the direct supervision of First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, announced several successful crackdowns targeting drug smuggling, illegal alcohol manufacturing and housing violations across the country.

In the most prominent operation, the ministry foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 4 million Captagon pills with an estimated street value of KD 4 million ($39.3 million). The narcotics were ingeniously concealed inside water treatment pipes. The operation was conducted by the criminal security sector in cooperation with the General Directorate of Customs and Kuwait Fire Force.

Authorities arrested one suspect inside Kuwait, while the main suspect remains abroad. Coordination is ongoing with an international anti-narcotics agency to apprehend the individual and pursue legal action. The consignment took a tricky route before arriving in Kuwait — it was smuggled to an Arab country and a European one before its final destination. The ministry praised the effective cooperation among participating agencies and reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting national security.

In a separate operation, the ministry dismantled a large liquor manufacturing and distribution network operating out of six residential areas: Mishref, Jaber Al-Ali, Nahda, Faiha, Saad Al-Abdullah and Qusour. The joint effort involved Kuwait Fire Force, Kuwait Municipality, Environment Public Authority and the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy.

The operation led to the arrest of 52 suspects — 30 men and 22 women — of two Asian nationalities. Eight vehicles used for logistical support, including the delivery of raw materials, food supplies, salaries and distribution of the manufactured liquor, were seized. Authorities said the houses were rented and used strategically to avoid detection.

Meanwhile, the ministry also carried out an extensive inspection campaign in Khaitan, targeting private housing units in violation of legal and regulatory standards. The campaign involved multiple agencies including the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kuwait Municipality, Environment Public Authority, Kuwait Fire Force and the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy. Several violations were documented, and legal actions are underway to hold violators accountable.

The ministry reiterated that it will continue its strict enforcement campaigns and will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize the security and safety of the country and its residents. Separately, the supreme committee for Kuwaiti citizenship held a meeting on Thursday chaired by Sheikh Fahad. In a statement, the interior ministry announced that Kuwaiti citizenship was revoked from an individual in accordance with articles 10 and 11 of the citizenship law due to holding dual nationality. Another individual was stripped of their citizenship for obtaining it through forgery and fraud, while one person was stripped of citizenship for the state’s “higher interests”. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel met Thursday with Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company CEO Mutlaq Al-Zayed to explore ways of strengthening the company’s role in achieving food security and supporting national products. The meeting, held at the Public Authority for Industry headquarters, focused on removing barriers that could hinder the company’s performance and finding ways to enhance its production capabilities. “The government is keen to support strategic national industries, especially the food sector, as it is one of the fundamental pillars of food security in the country,” Al-Ajeel said after the meeting.

He emphasized the need to utilize available resources and streamline administrative and technical procedures to help Kuwait Flour Mills continue providing high-quality staple food products with reliable supply. Supporting local production, Al-Ajeel added, goes beyond boosting output. “It also includes creating a supportive legislative and regulatory environment, encouraging innovation and development, and expanding investment in the food industry in line with the country’s food security vision.”

Al-Zayed thanked the minister for the government’s ongoing support. “We appreciate the continuous backing and direct attention the Ministry of Commerce and Industry gives to Kuwait Flour Mills,” he said. He praised the ministry’s role in supporting national industries, particularly amid global and regional challenges related to supply chains and food security. Al-Zayed noted that the company is working to upgrade its production lines and improve operational efficiency to deliver high-quality products that meet local market needs and contribute to the state’s vision for sustainable local production. — KUNA