Syria Ceasefire Takes Hold Despite Limited Violations
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SUBSCRIPTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 JAMADA ALAWWAL 20, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Translator Kuwait endorses Moderates Wawrinka wins describes new regulations make big Dubai title challenges, for treatment gains in after marathon experience4 abroad6 Iran15 polls tiebreak20 Syria ceasefire takes hold Min 16º Max 25º despite limited violations High Tide 02:53 & 15:08 Amir welcomes truce in cables to Obama, Putin Low Tide 09:08 & 21:42 40 PAGES NO: 16798 150 FILS DAMASCUS: Fighting subsided across much of Syria yesterday as the first major ceasefire of the devastating, Crown Prince tours northern borders five-year war appeared to broadly hold despite sporadic breaches in parts of the battle-scarred country. The KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- truce, brokered by Washington and Moscow, is seen as a Sabah yesterday paid a visit to the Department of Border Security crucial step towards ending a conflict that has claimed Force on the northern border of the country. He was greeted upon 270,000 lives and displaced more than half the popula- his arrival by assistant interior ministry undersecretary for border tion. It faces formidable challenges including the exclu- security Maj Gen Sheikh Mohammed Yousef Al-Sabah, Director sion of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group and Al- General of the General Department for land border security Maj Gen Qaeda’s Syria affiliate Al-Nusra Front, which control Fuad Al-Athari and senior border security officials. large parts of the country. During the visit, Sheikh Nawaf listened to a detailed explanation Meanwhile, HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al- on the existing equipment and the monitoring system and extent of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent yesterday two cables to their readiness, as well as the sophisticated security system, which is US President Barack Obama and Russian President the latest in the world used for border protection. He appreciated Vladimir Putin, welcoming the UN Security Council the tireless work carried out by servicemen day and night during the Resolution 2268 endorsing the US-Russian joint state- country’s celebration of the glorious national holidays. HH Sheikh ment on cessation of hostilities in Syria. The Amir appre- Nawaf praised the great efforts by the border security men, their ciated both leaders’ efforts to adopt this joint state- competence, dedication and devotion in their work as they are the ment, hailing it as a genuine step and a glimpse of hope watchful eyes to preserve the nation’s security and stability. for ceasing several years of hostilities in Syria which The Crown Prince stressed “the importance of exerting efforts in have so far claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands defending the soil of our dear homeland and preserving its security of Syrian people. and stability and to always be vigilant against anyone trying to HH the Amir wished that this could lead to a political tamper with the security of the country”. solution to the Syrian crisis in order to put an end to the He explained that he is fully confident in the ability of border tragic situation and humanitarian sufferings of the guards in carrying out their duties and responsibilities fully, because brotherly Syrian people inside and outside Syria, to ful- they will spare no effort in maintaining and protecting the soil of fill their legitimate demands and to bring security and Kuwait and its territorial integrity. stability back to Syria. The Amir also hoped that all He conveyed the best greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- involved parties would stick to the resolution so that Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is briefed by Director the international community can focus on fighting and Forces, who has always praised their noble efforts in preserving the General of the General Department for Land Border Security Maj Gen Fuad Al-Athari yesterday eradicating terrorism. stability and security of the homeland. — KUNA during his visit to the northern borders of the country. — KUNA Continued on Page 15 Vigil held to save Bayt Lothan By Athoob Al-Shuaibi During the vigil, some attendees sang songs, while many spoke about their memories. Eman Jamal, a media KUWAIT: A number of art and media figures, along with researcher at Kuwait University, said Bayt Lothan is like social media influencers, held a candlelight vigil yesterday her second home. “I will never forget the days when I calling on the owners of the building housing Bayt Lothan used to practice photography and voluntarily worked for to protect this pre-oil structure that is slated for demoli- the Lothan Youth Achievement Centre (LOYAC), which tion. Bayt Lothan is considered the first nonprofit organiza- emerged from the womb of this place. I wish it remains tion of its kind to nurture culture, music and the arts in all until my grandchildren see it,” she said. domains. The vigil was organized by artisan Lubna Saif Joseph Shagra, a photographer at Kuwait Times, Abbas and chef Mariam Al-Nisf through Facebook to remembered his days at Bayt Lothan. “Bayt Lothan in the peacefully protest against the closure of Bayt Lothan. eighties was my high school and was called Al-Manhal. “We hope that this is the beginning. What we want is My classmates and I used to bring our swimsuits to school that people get reconnected to spaces that mean some- because the beach was right in front of the building. At thing. Bayt Lothan is a very special place. It’s a place that has that time, there weren’t any roads here. It’s sad that it’s meaning that ties us to the past, and it’s been vibrant and going to be demolished,” he rued. very active since the liberation. We thank the family for Kuwait issued a law in 1961 to preserve heritage and doing this because they created something that didn’t exist distinctive buildings that symbolize the history and iden- before. However, we want it to continue and we’re hoping tity of Kuwait, but this law is not fully and clearly that the government creates a trust and issues laws that enforced. The building housing Bayt Lothan was first con- would protect special places like Bayt Lothan. We don’t structed in the late 1920s as a palace owned a member of want to see it go,” said Abbas. the ruling family of Kuwait. KUWAIT: Demonstrators hold a candlelight vigil at Bayt Lothan yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Challenges face new FIFA boss Arabs lament missed opportunity ZURICH/CAIRO: FIFA’s new president Gianni Infantino yester- day faced the mountainous task of reforming and uniting world football, with a pile of crises from the scandal-ridden Sepp Blatter era needing urgent action. Infantino, an execu- tive at European football confederation UEFA, promised an end to the dark days at FIFA following his convincing election win. But the 45-year-old Swiss-Italian national was immedi- ately met with multiple challenges, as football powerful play- ers including key corporate partners must still be convinced that FIFA can mend its ways. Infantino will also have to prioritize the interests of devel- oping football nations in Asia and Africa, two continents that publicly backed election runner-up Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa on hopes that a non-European would lead FIFA after Swiss national Blatter’s 18-year presidency. “We will ZURICH: Newly-elected FIFA president Gianni work tirelessly, starting with myself,” the shaven-headed, mul- Infantino of Switzerland gestures during a press ti-lingual new FIFA boss said. “You will be proud of FIFA. You conference at the extraordinary FIFA congress on will be proud of what FIFA will do for football.” Friday. — AFP Continued on Page 15 LOCAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 Amir lauds citizens, residents for the jubilant manifestations KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah on Friday congratulated the cit- izens and residents of Kuwait on the 55th anniversary of the National Day and the 25th anniversary of the Liberation Day, lauding their joyful expression on the two dear occasions through their participation in the vari- ous popular festivals. His Highness the Amir praised per- sonnel and officers of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard for securing com- fortable atmosphere for holding the celebrations. He also lauded the other official authorities and departments for their efforts in preparing for the celebrations; namely the higher com- mittee for preparing for national cele- brations, the Ministry of Information, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Education, the Fire General states for their participation in the Directorate, Kuwait Municipality, also celebrations. He also recalled the RIYADH: Saudi ambassador participates in Kuwait’s embassy celebration. thanking the media for their wide- national martyrs who had sacrificed scale coverage of the activities. their souls for defending the home- His Highness the Amir Sheikh land. He prayed for the martyrs’ Kuwaiti foreign missions Sabah Al-Ahmad addressed greet- souls, preserving the dear homeland, ings to Their Highnesses the leaders the bounties of security, safety and of the GCC states, Arab and friendly prosperity. — KUNA celebrate national holidays KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait’s foreign missions worldwide held several events and receptions in celebration of the nation’s 55th National Day and the 25th Liberation Day. Kuwaiti ambassa- dors and diplomats at foreign missions and con- sulates in Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Tanzania released statements commemorating their country’s national celebrations.