WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 JAMADA ALAWWAL 27, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait seeks IS bombs stall US, Cuba Arsenal fall to boost role Iraq’s Tikrit resume talks short as of governors2 offensive7 amid tensions9 Monaco20 qualify Probe allegations by Min 18º Max 23º former minister: MPs High Tide 10:40 & 22:15 Low Tide Fadhl challenges segregation law at university 03:55 & 16:00 40 PAGES NO: 16463 150 FILS By B Izzak Military officers visit Kuwait Times KUWAIT: MP Saadoun Hammad said yesterday that a number of lawmakers will file a proposal to form a par- liamentary investigation committee to probe allega- tions made by AbdulAziz Al-Ibrahim who quit on Monday as minister of electricity, water and public works. Hammad and liberal MP Rakan Al-Nasef strongly defended Ibrahim saying the former minister per- formed extremely well and saved public funds. The law- maker said Ibrahim has rushed in submitting his resig- nation adding that he safeguarded public funds when he cancelled the Airport expansion project because the bids were above estimates. Nasef spoke about a plot against Ibrahim because the value of projects is KD 5 billion and accused certain quarters of trying to axe the former minister who worked with all honesty and dedication to serve his country. The Council of Ministers on Monday accepted the resignation of Ibrahim who quit a day after indirect- ly accusing some MPs of receiving bribes in order to grill him. MP Hammad said that the former minister did not accuse the lawmakers directly as he only answered a question about corruption. He said the planned probe committee will summon Ibrahim to question him about his statements. MP Nasef said that the former minister had been tar- geted from the very beginning, adding that a number of MPs discussed grilling Ibrahim in the last Assembly session and even discussed filing a motion of no-confi- dence against him. He said that Ibrahim as a minister of electricity and water succeeded in collecting bills worth KD 570 million and for the first time in 20 years, Kuwait had a surplus in power production. In another development, MP Nabeel Al-Fadhel said yesterday that he challenged the 15-year-old law on sex segregation at Kuwait University at the constitutional court to rule if the court is constitutional or not. The law was passed by an Islamist and conservative-controlled KUWAIT: Kuwait Times Deputy General Manager Adnan Saad presents a memento to military officers studying at the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and assembly and required Kuwait University to segregate Staff College who visited the Kuwait Times Publishing House in Shuwaikh esterday.y — Photo by Yasser A-Zayyat (See Pages 30-31) in classrooms between male and female students. Continued on Page 13 Israel’s Arabs vote en masse to end Bibi era HAIFA, Israel: Arab Israelis formed long Tibi, 22. “We believe that unity is a lines outside polling stations yesterday chance to make a change.” The head of as they turned out to cast their ballots the Joint List that includes nationalists, Chances of hoping to end the six-year reign of Prime Islamists and the Jewish-Arab Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This is Communist party described it “a historic the first time that I’ve seen so many peo- day for the Arabs”. Iran deal ple here to vote,” said Ehab Hamam, 37, “Today we are giving our answer to as he waited with some 50 people at a racism and to those who want to exclude 50/50: US polling station in Haifa, a mixed Jewish- us,” said Ayman Odeh. “When we have 15 Arab city. MPs we will be able to influence the deci- “For the Arabs, voting in this election sion-making, no-one will be able to act WASHINGTON: The White House sought to tem- is saying to the right: We are here,” he without the third largest party in parlia- per optimism about a seemingly imminent nuclear said. Jewish Israeli voter Gideon Leber ment.” KUWAIT: Officials of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and British Petroleum deal with Iran yesterday, warning that some diffi- agreed, saying: “I’ve never seen such a Three hours into the voting, turnout sign to renew contracts worth $1 billion yesterday. — KUNA cult issues are yet to be resolved. “In the mind of long queue outside a polling station”. within the Arab sector stood at about 10 the president the odds have not moved,” said Israel’s Arabs, who account for just over percent, compared with 3.0 percent in White House spokesman Josh Earnest, warning 20 percent of the population, have long 2013. The news quickly reached Prime Kuwait renews $1bn that “at best” it is a 50/50 proposition. complained of feeling disenfranchised. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US administration reacted coolly to the But this year, after the main Arab parties “The rule of the rightwing is in danger. confidence of Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi, joined forces in a list tipped win as many Arab voters are going in droves to the jet fuel deals with BP who was quoted as saying that “90 percent of the as 13 mandates in the 120-seat parlia- polls,” said the Israeli leader whose Likud technical issues” had been agreed. “The president ment, voters have been infused with a is expected to come second to the cen- DUBAI: State-run Kuwait Petroleum system to Dubai and several European is driving a very hard bargain and Iran is going to new sense of hope. tre-left Zionist Union. Corporation (KPC) has renewed contracts Airports,” KPC said in a statement. The have to make some very tough and specific com- “I voted for the Arab list,” said Nareen Continued on Page 13 worth $1 billion with BP to provide the strategic work relation between the KPC mitments,” said Earnest. British oil company with jet fuel and and the BP allows developing a market The White House said that it remained to be gasoil, state news agency KUNA said yes- quota mechanism which offers jet fuel seen if Iranian leaders, including those not directly terday. “The contracts that cover 2015 will and gasoil wide opportunities, especially involved in negotiations, would sign on to the see Kuwaiti jet fuel flow through the BP in the Middle East and Europe. — KUNA agreement. “From our vantage point it is difficult to predict,” said Earnest. “That is an ‘X factor’.” Earnest said that there had been “substantial progress” over the course of the last year, but “as US embassy in Saudi they encountered stumbling blocks they just delayed them to the end.” extends closure “Some of the most difficult issues, some of the issues that they have been struggling with for the RIYADH: The United States embassy in Tuesday,” it said. longest period of time are the issues that have yet Saudi Arabia said it would remain Officials have not elaborated. “We to be resolved.” The agreement would limit closed to the public for a third day yes- found it advisable not to open to the Tehran’s nuclear program for 10 to 15 years in terday because of “security concerns”. public because of our security con- return for sanctions relief. Consular services had initially been cerns,” embassy press officer Johann Iran and six world powers are seeking an agree- suspended on Sunday and Monday Schmonsees told AFP. The embassy ment to curb Iran’s most sensitive nuclear activi- but the closure will continue for an warned US citizens to take extra pre- extra day, a notice on the embassy cautions and keep a low profile if they ties for at least 10 years in exchange for a gradual website said. “Due to heightened secu- are out in public. end to sanctions on Tehran. The powers-Britain, rity concerns at US diplomatic facilities A separate caution on Friday China, France, Germany, Russia and the United in Saudi Arabia, consular services will warned that Western oil workers States-aim to complete the framework of a final deal by the end of March and reach a full agree- continue to be cancelled at the US risked being attacked or kidnapped by ABU DIS, West Bank: Israeli border policemen scuffle with a Palestinian woman ment by June 30. embassy in Riyadh and consulates “terrorist” groups. as they clear a protest on land that was confiscated by Israel for Jewish settle- general in Jeddah and Dhahran on Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 ments, near the West Bank town of Abu Dis yesterday. — AP LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives meets the outgoing Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity the new Australian Ambassador to Kuwait Warren Hauck. the new Sudanese Ambassador Mohyyiddine Ibrahim. and Water Abdulaziz Abdullatif Al-Ibrahim. — KUNA photos Amir receives new diplomats’ credentials Amir commends outgoing minister’s contributions KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Ambassador Dhari Al-Ajran and Sabah received at Bayan Palace yes- Amiri Guard Commander Brigadier terday the new Ambassadors of Fahad Al-Zaid. Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Separately, HH the Amir received Australia, Thailand, Sudan, and New the outgoing Minister of Public Zealand to the State of Kuwait. The Works and Minister of Electricity diplomats handed their credentials and Water Abdulaziz Abdullatif Al- during the occasion to HH the Amir.