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Lebanese President: There is understanding weapons should be under state control

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KUWAIT: President Joseph Aoun said the Lebanese people did not seek conflicts and there was an understanding that weapons should solely be in the hands of the state.

“I have always repeated the word dialogue because I believe it is the only way to reach the objective, and I also reiterate that diplomacy is the way to restore our sovereignty,” Aoun said in an exclusive interview with KUNA. “There are some voices who want to end the weapons’ file quickly, and I think that we can accomplish this objective but without rush and through preserving domestic peace,” he said.

Asked about the internal disputes, Aoun said there were no major differences among the Lebanese people providing “we comply with the constitution along with dialogue and discussions over the sticky issues.”

Aoun said reforms in the country would contribute to improving the living conditions as well as the relations with other countries, especially Arab and Gulf nations.

“This is the objective of my visits abroad, to restore relations and rebuild trust with other countries by explaining the reforms, the reconstruction of the state and its institutions, passing reforms, deployment of the army and security forces nationwide and keeping weapons in the hands of the Lebanese state,” he said.

“These are gradual steps and I believe we have made many strides. It is a long path and there is no going back, and everyone will see the changes which need time, but they are in the right direction,” he added. “We need to join hands for the sake of Lebanon and its people in order to get the country out of the conflicts and restore functions of institutions that organize the state,” he said.

Aoun arrived in Kuwait yesterday and was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This will be the first meeting with His Highness the Amir, said Aoun, to thank him for “Kuwait’s historic” role in realizing solutions during crises even since before the Taif agreement, which ended the civil war in Lebanon, citing the first “positive initiative” by Kuwait was in 1973.

Aoun said he and His Highness the Amir would be discussing ways of further boosting bilateral relations. “We have a common concern which is the internal unity in our countries.”

President Aoun had already visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and now Kuwait. “Ever since my election I was keen on returning Lebanon to the Arab fold and the return of Arabs to Lebanon, which began to materialize. I will also embark on an Arab tour to iron out outstanding issues. I would like to express gratitude for all Arab countries for honoring Lebanon’s demands.”

“Lebanon cannot be a base or a pathway for any harm to any Arab country. The role of Lebanon is to carry a message of peace and neutrality and be a place and a pathway for dialogue, tolerance and co-existence,” he said.

Asked about economic relations with the State of Kuwait, Aoun said the Arab Gulf country has been contributing to many development projects since the early 1960s. “The first loan for Kuwait for Beirut municipality was few months after the independence of the State of Kuwait all the way to the building or the silos at Beirut port,” he said.

Kuwait’s assistance continued, he noted, and included in the reconstruction efforts after the Israeli occupation’s aggression in 2006, rebuilding electricity, water and road infrastructures in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, as well as schools.

Kuwait, he added, provided humanitarian assistance following the 2020 massive explosion of Beirut port. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) expressed readiness to rebuild the silos. “I think Kuwait is ready to contribute to reconstruction of Lebanon as it has always been by its side,” he said.

Lebanon also needs foreign investments, but this required multiple reforms. “Investment needs reforms,” affirmed Aoun, citing a recent law that boost independence of the judiciary which would provide stability thus encourage investment.

“I think security and judiciary are important and coupled with economic and financial reforms in addition to the restructuring of the banking sector. It is a huge workshop, and we want it to succeed,” he said, and it was also one of the funding conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Aoun spoke about the Arab Summit and the Arab Economic and Social Summit, due in Baghdad on May 17, and said Lebanon sought a united Arab positions regarding the Palestinian cause. President Aoun meanwhile called on Kuwaitis to come and invest in Kuwait. He said Lebanon and Kuwait enjoyed solid bonds, citing the first Lebanese citizen to visit Kuwait was in 1915 and the first Middle East airlines landed in Kuwait in the 1940s. – KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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Workshop discusses health competency framework

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

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The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

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Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”

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