SUBSCRIPTION THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 JAMADA ALAWWAL 24, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait: Fighting Trump, Clinton International Depleted Warriors terrorism greatest capture key Space Station’s stay perfect at challenge in wins on US ‘one year crew’ home, Heat Arab world3 Super Tuesday7 returns29 to Earth scorch19 Bulls GCC declares Hezbollah Min 14º Max 27º a terrorist organization High Tide 07:05 & 17:28 Low Tide Hariri backs move as Nasrallah steps up criticism 00:12 & 11:40 40 PAGES NO: 16802 150 FILS RIYADH: Gulf states yesterday declared Lebanon’s Govt mulling Hezbollah a “terrorist” group, escalating tensions with the organization that is fighting in support of Syria’s regime. The designation is the latest step taken by Gulf curbs on some states against Hezbollah as ties between its main backer Iran and regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia nationalities deteriorate. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council “decided to consider the militias (of Hezbollah) a terror- By A Saleh ist organization”, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al- Zayani said in a statement. KUWAIT: Well-informed ministerial sources revealed He said the states targeted Hezbollah because of that the government has received a report on “hostile actions of the militia who recruit the young Kuwait’s demography and suggested ways to solve people (of the Gulf)”. Zayani cited “their terrorist acts the problem of demographic imbalance, noting that and incitement in Syria, Yemen and in Iraq”, which he the Cabinet views this issue as a top priority. The said were threatening Arab security. Saudi Arabia last sources explained that the report suggested limiting month halted a $3 billion program for military supplies the number of workers recruited from certain coun- tries that already have large numbers of their citi- to Lebanon in protest against Hezbollah, which has zens in Kuwait, with the majority of them being lawmakers in Beirut’s parliament. Announcing the ‘marginal laborers’. funding cut, a Saudi official said the kingdom noticed “Egyptians now number 700,000, with a majority “hostile Lebanese positions resulting from the strangle- of them marginal laborers,” said the report, suggest- hold of Hezbollah on the state”. ing reducing the numbers of Egyptian marginal He specifically cited Lebanon’s refusal to join the laborers and monitoring labor offices involved in Arab League and the Organization of Islamic human trafficking. The sources added that the Cooperation in condemning attacks on Saudi diplo- report also suggested cutting the number of teach- matic missions in Iran in January. Riyadh cut diplomatic ers hired annually from Egypt from 500 to 200 and ties with Tehran after demonstrators burned its making up for the difference by hiring teachers from embassy and a consulate following the Saudi execution Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco. The report also sug- ANSAR, Lebanon: Hezbollah fighters hold flags as they attend the funeral procession in this southern village of a prominent cleric. The GCC comprises Bahrain, gested limiting Indian manpower to technical jobs yesterday of Hezbollah senior commander Ali Fayyad, who was killed last week during an offensive by Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab like engineers, nurses and oil sector workers. Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters in Syria. Gulf nations formally branded Hezbollah a terrorist organiza- Emirates. tion yesterday, ramping up the pressure on the Lebanese group. — AP Continued on Page 13 MPs want freeze on overseas treatment rules, govt defiant Quick solution for bedoons sought By B Izzak the numbers of Kuwaiti patients who will be sent for treatment abroad and slashing financial allocations to KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday called on them to KD 75 daily in US and Europe and KD 50 daily the government to freeze new rules for treatment of elsewhere. The new rules also allow one companion Kuwaiti patients overseas until the Assembly’s health with each patient, but without any expenses apart committee has reviewed the issue. The call came in from air tickets. State Minister for Cabinet Affairs non-binding recommendations MPs voted on after a Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah said the new three-hour debate during which MPs strongly criticized rules take effect from April 1 and the government has the decision to cut financial allocations for Kuwaiti no intention to freeze them. Public Works Minister Ali patients. Al-Omair said the government will study the recom- The Assembly asked its health committee to study mendations and will implement whatever it can. Head the issue and report back before its next session on of the budgets committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad said March 14. MPs also recommended that the govern- that the budget for medical treatment abroad rose ment build specialized medical centers and hire well- from KD 175 million in 2011 to as much as KD 441 mil- known international doctors to work in the country. lion in the current fiscal year. MPs were angered by a government decision to cut Continued on Page 13 IRBID, Jordan: Jordanian security forces secure a street in this town near the border with Syria yesterday fol- lowing a security operation. — AFP Jordan raid foils IS attacks AMMAN: Jordan said yesterday that it had thwarted been plotting “attacks against civilian and military sites planned attacks by the Islamic State group on its soil, in order to destabilize national security”. “The terrorists killing seven suspected militants in a major security refused to surrender and put up strong resistance using operation near the Syrian frontier. The kingdom, which automatic weapons,” it said, adding that the dead also borders Iraq, has for years struggled with home- jihadists were wearing suicide vests. grown Islamists and is part of a US-led coalition carrying Twenty-two suspects were arrested during the oper- out air strikes against jihadists. The operation, which ation and automatic weapons and explosives were began late Tuesday in the northern city of Irbid, 80 km seized, according to security officials. They said that north of Amman, was the most significant of its kind investigations before the raid had led to the arrest of 13 since Jordan joined the coalition in 2014. others linked to the jihadists. King Abdullah, a key One member of Jordan’s security forces was killed Middle East ally of Western powers against Islamist mili- and three wounded in clashes that raged for several tancy who has also safeguarded Jordan’s peace treaty hours until dawn, the authorities said. Two civilians with Israel, has been among the most vocal leaders in were also hurt. Jordan’s intelligence services said IS had Continued on Page 13 LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Speaker of the National His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Chairman of Kuwait Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem.— KUNA photos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Ali Mohammad Thunayan Al-Ghanem, along with KCCI members. Amir, Crown Prince receive state officials KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Ali Mohammad Thunayan Al-Ghanem, sive cooperation between the governmen- further success and progress to better serve Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Hamad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness along with KCCI members. They offered to tal and private sectors. our country. received His Highness the Crown Prince the Crown Prince received His Highness His Highness the Crown Prince a compre- He called on further cooperation In other news, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, Sheikh Sabah Al- hensive developmental vision regarding between both sectors in order to fulfill a sent a cable of condolences yesterday to and Speaker of the National Assembly Khaled and Deputy Prime Minister and the financial reform in Kuwait in the light of better future of nation’s economy based on Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Marzouq Al-Ghanem at Bayan Palace yes- Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah the drop in price for oil. variation of income sources to transform the passing of Sheikha Lulwa bint terday. His Highness also received His Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince praised Kuwait to a financial regional and interna- Mohammad Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Also yesterday, His Highness the Crown this ambitious vision and KCCI keenness tional centers in accordance with His Highness the Crown Prince and His Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and First Prince received Chairman of Kuwait the country’s economy, stressing on the Highness the Amir’s instructions. His Highness the Prime Minister sent similar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) importance of enhancing the comprehen- Highness the Crown Prince wished them cables. — KUNA KRCS continues to deliver aid in Iraq KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s (KRCS) humanitarian mis- sion in Iraq emphasized the keen- ness on part of the Kuwaiti leader- ship to offer aid to displaced Iraqis who are suffering from tough living conditions, KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer said yesterday. Al-Sayer made his remarks after his meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister Office Director and Deputy Minister of planning, Dr Mehdi Al-Allaq. He added that the meeting tackled both sides’ efforts to ease the suffer- ing of displaced Iraqis in Baghdad and Kurdistan. Allaq praised the lev- el of bilateral ties between Kuwait KUWAIT: KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al Sayer meets with Iraqi Prime Minister and Iraq, expressing Iraqi’s deep Office Director and Deputy Minister of Planning Dr Mehdi Al-Allaq, in pres- appreciation for Kuwait’s humanitar- ence of Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahruloloom.