US ‘completely aligned’ with Gulf allies, won’t do anything to undermine Gulf security
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Wednesday visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, holding talks over current developments around the Middle East region and bilateral relations. The US top diplomat, who is on a tour across the Gulf, conveyed US President Donald Trump’s greetings to HH the Amir, who reciprocated the well wishes to Trump and the American people.
The bilateral talks centered around Kuwait’s historic relations with Washington, in addition to efforts aiming to propel these ties to greater levels, while current happenings around the Middle East region and the world was another topic of discussion.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations on Wednesday during the visit by Rubio, months after services were suspended in March following Iranian attacks. The embassy will immediately resume emergency services for American citizens while other services will be phased in, a State Department spokesperson said.
HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets Rubio at Bayan Palace.
Rubio and Steven Butler, charge d’affaires ad interim of the US Embassy in Kuwait, attend a flag raising ceremony at the US Embassy in Bayan. – AFP
Rubio attended a flag-raising ceremony at the embassy on Wednesday. “The American flag: a symbol of liberty, unity, and freedom now flies proudly once again over Kuwait City. Kuwait is an indispensable partner for regional security and stability,” he said in a social media post following the ceremony. “The US looks forward to strengthening our partnership across all areas of cooperation,” he added.
Rubio vowed that the United States will not do anything that would undermine the security of US allies in the Gulf region when it comes to Washington’s dealings with Iran. “We’re going to be completely aligned with our partners in the Gulf. That’s why we’re meeting with all of them tomorrow,” Rubio told reporters in Kuwait before departing for Bahrain. “That’s why I’ve taken these trips now, and it’s the reason why I’m here. We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our longstanding allies in the region,” he said. Rubio is due to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain on Thursday. – Agencies
