Day: 14 August 2023

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The Foreign Minister discusses with the US Ambassador bilateral relations

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed today, Monday, with the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, the overall bilateral relations.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two sides discussed the overall bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and ways to develop them, as required by the interests of the two friendly peoples, noting that the meeting dealt with a number of issues related to the regional situation, the issue of al-Hol camp, the return of Iraqis from the camp, and the position of some countries on the elements. The terrorists are citizens of these countries who are in the camp.”

The statement indicated, “The American Ambassador clarified the results of the visit of the Iraqi military and security delegation to Washington headed by the Minister of Defense, and expressed her positive assessment of the results of the visit and the discussions that took place with American military officials about the future of relations between the two countries, stressing the continued support of her country’s government for the Iraqi armed forces in confronting the ISIS terrorist gangs.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

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Al-Araji discusses with the US Ambassador work to dismantle Al-Hol camp

The National Security Adviser, Qassem Al-Araji, discussed with the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Romanowsky, work to dismantle the Syrian Al-Hol camp.

The Media Office of the National Security Adviser stated in a statement, “Al-Araji received, in his office today, Monday, the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Romanowski, and discussed with her developments in the political and security situation at the regional and international levels.”

The statement added, “The meeting dealt with discussing the development of joint cooperation relations under the strategic framework agreement, in accordance with the common interests of the two countries, and ways of continuing support provided to Iraq in the field of combating terrorism were discussed.”

During the meeting, they discussed the file of the Syrian Al-Hol camp and the importance of working to dismantle it, as Al-Araji stressed the need to urge and encourage countries to withdraw their nationals from the camp.

For her part, the US Ambassador praised the “strategic dialogue that took place recently between the Iraqi delegation and US officials in Washington, DC.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

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Kuwait’s Amir congratulates Pakistan on Independence Day

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Monday a congratulatory cable to the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi on his country’s Independence Day.

His Highness the Amir wished president Alvi good health and his country and people progress and prosperity

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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Niger’s coup leaders: Pres. Bazoum to stand trial for high treason

The leaders of the Niger coup announced on Monday that they would set ousted President Mohammad Bazoum to stand trial on charges of high treason, saying that they had “clear-cut” evidences against him.

Member of the Niger military council Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Sunday that authorities had complied a list of evidences and documents, which incriminated Bazoum and his local and foreign associates of crimes threatening Niger’s security both local and abroad.

He indicated that the evidences were gathered from Niger nationals in addition to heads of foreign states and international organizations.

Bazoum is still able to communicate and the army did not enter his residence, stressed Abdramane, noting that physicians were regularly checking on the health of the ousted president and his family members.

In the same regards, leaders of the Niger coup had condemned the sanctions imposed by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), deeming them as illegal and inhumane.

The leader of the coup announced last Thursday the list of the new Niger government consisting of 21 members headed by Ali al-Amin Zine who was assigned as Prime Minister the Monday before.

ECOWAS is planning on a military intervention in Niger with the organization stressing that it did not need the approval of the UNSC to embark on this action. However, the ECOWAS also expressed that it was open for a diplomat resolution.

President Bazoum was apprehended on July 27 by members of the Presidential guard. He was elected as President of Niger in 2021.

Niger had witnessed four successful coups since independence in 1960 from France with many failed coups also occurring

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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Cloudburst kills 7 Indians, several feared trapped inside landslides in Himachal Pradesh

Indian police announced on Monday that seven people were killed and two houses were washed away as a cloudburst hit a village in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh last night.

The Press Trust of India said quoting Superintendent of Police, Solan, Gaurav Singh that seven members of a family were killed following the cloudburst in Jadon village of Solan district and six others were rescued. In a related development, around 15 to 20 people are feared trapped inside two landslides that hit a temple in Summer Hill area and Fagli area of Shimla city of Himachal Pradesh.

The agency quoted Deputy Commissioner of Shimla Aditya Negi saying that 15 to 20 people were feared buried in the two landslides and rescue operations are going on in full swing. Himachal Pradesh is considered the worst hit in the monsoon rains as the toll stands at 257 lives. Incessant rains in the state triggered landslides, floods and several roads and houses were washed away causing massive loss of lives and damage to properties. In wake of the incessant rains, the authorities have announced closure of schools in the state on Monday

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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S. Korea, US to stage key military drill amid “N. Korea threats”

South Korea and the US will kick off a major combined military exercise next week to beef up their joint defense, the allies announced Monday, amid evolving prospects of North Korea’s new provocations, Yonhap News Agency reported. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise based on an all-out war scenario is set to take place from Aug. 21-31, featuring various contingency drills, such as the computer simulation-based command post exercise, concurrent field training and Ulchi civil defense drills, according to the report.

“Ulchi Freedom Shield 23 is designed to be a tough and realistic exercise to strengthen the combined defense posture and alliance response capabilities based on scenarios that reflect diverse threats within the security environment and lessons learned from recent wars and conflicts,” the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a press release. The exercise also includes drills on responses to cyberattacks and terrorism, it added.

Aside from South Korean and US participants, personnel from member countries of the UN Command will join the exercise. The Command is a key enforcer of the armistice that halted the fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

In the lead-up to the drills, Pyongyang has ratcheted up tensions with leader Kim Jong-un having recently called for a “drastic boost” in the country’s missile production capability and for war contingency preparations in an “offensive” manner.

Source: Kuwait News Agency