KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah on Wednesday decorated Army Chief of Staff Khaled Al-Shuraian with the rank of Lieutenant General, in implementation of an Amiri Decree issued by His Highness the Amir and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry quoted Sheikh Abdullah as congratulating Lt Gen Al-Shuraian on the Amir’s confidence, describing the promotion as a reflection of his competence, leadership skills and long record of distinguished service. He wished the Army Chief further success in serving the nation, safeguarding its security and stability and preserving its achievements. The ceremony was attended by Defense Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Abdullah Meshaal Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and a number of senior officers.

Born in 1968, Lt Gen Al-Shuraian graduated from the Royal Jordanian Military College in 1990 and has since participated in several key operations, including the 1991 Kuwait Liberation War, the 2003 Iraq Liberation War and Saudi Arabia’s Operation Decisive Storm in 2015. He previously served as Commander of the Kuwaiti Air Defense Force and has received numerous medals and decorations in recognition of his service. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ports and Maritime Administrations Committee held its 33rd meeting on Wednesday under Kuwait’s chairmanship, focusing on advancing an agreement to ensure freedom of navigation for GCC citizens in Arabian Gulf waters. Speaking to KUNA after the meeting, Director General of the Coast Guard at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who headed the Kuwaiti delegation, said the committee discussed mutual recognition of maritime licenses among GCC states to strengthen regional integration and connectivity.

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah highlighted that the meeting addressed regulations for the entry of traditional commercial vessels into GCC ports, safety standards for docks, and the use of electronic documentation to verify ship ownership and registration. Discussions also covered facilitating the use of marine transport within territorial seas, licensing for naval units and the establishment of regional training centers.

He emphasized that the meeting reflects the member states’ commitment to enhancing cooperation and developing the maritime transport sector, which boosts economic and social benefits and supports the growth of regional maritime trade. The discussions also encompassed protecting the marine environment and preserving resources to ensure sustainability.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ports and Maritime Administrations Committee hold its 33rd meeting on Wednesday under Kuwait’s chairmanship.- KUNA photos

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah noted GCC achievements in maritime operations: Kuwait-flagged vessels attained the highest operational performance rating under the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding, with 30 inspections completed without observations. Saudi Arabia expanded its fleet to 409 vessels totaling over 16.5 million tons and registered 3,000 national sailors through strategic training programs. In the UAE, Dubai launched its Maritime Transport Plan 2030 to increase maritime transport users by 51 percent and expand the network by 188 percent.

Qatar’s Hamad Port ranked 11th globally in the 2024 Container Efficiency Index, while Oman’s Port of Salalah secured second place in the World Bank’s CPPI index, the highest for any Arab port. Bahrain launched the advanced research vessel Al-Masaha 2050 to develop a comprehensive marine data system supporting strategic planning and economic development. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah said these initiatives underscore GCC states’ shared commitment to strengthening regional maritime transport, safety and environmental protection. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The council of ministers has recently approved an Amiri decree allowing listed companies in which non-Kuwaitis have shares to own real estate in the country provided the ownership does not include private residence. Under a Kuwaiti law issued in 1979, such companies are banned from owning property in the country and only Arab individuals can own only one house or land based on an Amiri decree.

Foreigners who inherit property from their Kuwaiti mothers must sell it within one year, according to the legislation. Foreign embassies can own a maximum of 4,000 square meters to build their own premises based on reciprocal treatment. Most Gulf countries currently allow foreigners to own houses directly and some states even offer long term residence permits for big buyers. The new draft decree, published in local media, made an amendment to the 1979 law allowing listed shareholding companies, real estate funds and investment portfolios with non-Kuwaiti ownership to buy real estate.

Such companies must be listed on bourses in Kuwait and one of their purposes is trading in property, the new draft decree said. Such companies are not allowed to purchase land used for private housing, it states. Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are treated like Kuwaitis in owning property in Kuwait, the decree states.

KUWAIT: The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior chairs a meeting to follow up on facilitating procedures for those whose Kuwaiti citizenship have been revoked.- KUNA photos

In another development, Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah on Wednesday chaired a meeting for senior representatives of ministries and government departments to discuss the situation of thousands of people who were stripped of their Kuwaiti citizenship. Over the past 18 months, authorities have revoked the citizenship of around 50,000 people, according to statements made by the interior minister.

A majority of those were foreign women who obtained citizenship through marriage to Kuwaiti husbands and people who rendered great services to the country. Authorities have maintained that they will preserve most of the benefits these two categories had enjoyed when they were Kuwaitis including their jobs except senior positions, salaries and pensions. Authorities have also asked them to start procedures to reclaim citizenship from their original countries as a precondition to keep the benefits. Several thousand other Kuwaitis lost their citizenship for forgery and cheating in addition to having a second citizenship which is banned in Kuwait.

The Cabinet has recently approved a draft decree requiring Kuwaiti parents to add their new-born babies to their citizenship files within 60 days of birth or face a fine of between KD 2,000 and KD 3,000. Previously, parents had the chance to add their babies to their files before they reached 18 years of age, allowing for irregularities.