SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 RABI ALAWWAL 4, 1438 AH No: 17069 Kuwait supports Syria rebels in Rosberg stuns F1 Mideast’s peace defense of key with retirement effort, stability5 Aleppo district8 bombshell43 Trump to name retired Gen Mattis for Pentagon Max 23º 150 Fils Transition team pondering new sanctions on Iran Min 17º WASHINGTON: Breaking once more from presidential custom, Donald Trump is turning to a military man to steer the US mili- tary, choosing retired Gen James Mattis, who will be the first career officer to lead the Pentagon since just after World War II. Mattis, 66, is a Marine Corps general who retired in 2013 after serving as commander of the US Central Command, responsible for directing America’s wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump, who has referred to Mattis by his nickname “Mad Dog,” made the announcement of his choice for defense secre- tary at a postelection victory rally Thursday night in Cincinnati. The selection raises questions about increased military influ- ence in a job designed to ensure civilian control of the armed forces. Those traditional concerns revolve around whether a recent- ly retired service member would rely more on military solutions to international problems rather than take a broader, more diplo- matic approach. For Mattis to be confirmed, Congress would first have to approve legislation by- passing a law that bars retired military officers from becoming defense secretary within seven Retired Gen James Mattis years of leaving active duty. Mattis has a reputation as a battle-hardened, tough-talking Marine who was entrusted with some of the most challenging commands in the US military. In a tweet last month, Trump described him as “A true General’s General!” Mattis would be only the second retired general to serve as defense secretary, the first being George C. Marshall in 1950-51 during the Korean KUWAIT: A German Shepherd dog performs during a beauty contest for German Shepherd dogs in Kuwait City yesterday. War. Marshall was a much different figure, having previously The event takes place once a year for two days and features participation of a large number of dog owners and lovers in a served as US secretary of state and playing a key role in creating society where dog-keeping has become a growing passion for many over the last few years.—Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat closer ties with Western Europe after World War II. But Mattis hasn’t been free of controversy. He was criticized for remarking in 2005 that he enjoyed shooting people. He also drew more recent scrutiny for his involvement with the embat- tled biotech company Theranos, where he serves on the board. Five die in 2 days due to Born in Pullman, Washington, Mattis enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969, later earning a history degree from Central Washington University. He was commissioned as an officer in asthma attacks in Kuwait 1972. As a lieutenant colonel, he led an assault battalion into Kuwait during the first US war with Iraq in 1991. KUWAIT: Five people have died due to asthma attacks, the Amiri Hospital due to a pandemic virus outbreak of Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s transition team is examining and breathing difficulties over the past two days, Health (H1N1), explaining that the only flu virus that has been proposals for new non-nuclear sanctions on Iran, the Financial Ministry Undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Sahlawi said yes- circulated among the public is that of seasonal flu. Times reported yesterday, citing congressional sources who have been in contact with the president-elect’s team. Officials terday. Hospitals received 844 emergency cases in two Director of the Amiri Hospital Dr Ali Al-Alanda also with Trump’s team have been in touch with fellow days, five of them died, three in Mubarak Hospital and dismissed the rumors, blaming bad weather conditions Republicans in Congress, where they hold the majority, to dis- two in the Amiri Hospital, Al-Sahlawi added in a state- for causing many people to have respiratory problems, cuss possible sanctions separate from last year’s Iran nuclear ment. Twenty-six cases were admitted to intensive care especially patients suffering asthma and allergy. deal that could focus on its ballistic missile program or human units, and 45 to rooms. The rest received treatment. Meanwhile, the ministry of Interior’s relation and rights, the sources told the FT. “They (Trump team members) All emergency clinics are ready to receive any medical security information department urged all motorists to are already looking closely at their options - and that very conditions that need attention, he said, urging citizens be careful while driving in rain to avoid accidents. The much includes non-nuclear sanctions,” a congressional official and residents to be cautious and call (112) for emergen- department also urged them to call 112 in any emergen- told the media outlet. cies or (151) for medical advice. Meanwhile, head of Al- cies to request help. Intermittent rains continued in The deal that was reached last year between Iran, the Asima Health Directorate Dr Fatima Al-Asoumi quashed many parts of Kuwait yesterday causing road accidents United States and five other world powers lifted some sanc- tions against Tehran in return for restrictions on its nuclear reports on social media about the closure of two floors in and traffic congestion. — KUNA program. — Agencies LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 Beni Haroun Dam - a testament of Algeria-Kuwait cooperation ALGIERS: Located in the city of Mila, 490 kilometers eastern Algiers, the Beni Haroun Dam stands as evi- dence of national economic progression as well as a testament of Algerian-Kuwaiti cooperation. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) con- tributed immensely to the completion of the project, donating millions of Kuwaiti dinars to help finish proj- ect which began construction in 2002. According to data by KFAED, the project aimed at meeting the demand for potable water up for about 3.6 million inhabitants in 6 governorates by 2030. It also aimed at providing provision of water for irrigation of about 22,000 hectares, through utilization of about 504 million cubic meters of Beni Haroun Dam. Speaking to KUNA about the project, farmer Mohammad Zawagi said that the dam project brought the area back to life, saying that farms now are thriving due to the abun- dance of water. Also providing his input, Agricultural engineer Noureddine Hamouda said that the Beni Haroun Dam opened doors for more professions, noting that fish farms could be easily constructed thanks to the dam. Other than farming and fishing, the Beni Haroun Dam generated around 180 megawatts of electricity, increas- ing the power capacity in Mila city. With the recent dam loan, KFAED provided four loans to Algeria since 1964, amounting to KD 21.8 million. — KUNA Embassy warns Kuwaitis in Kuwait enjoys historic and Indonesia amid protests cultural ties with Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait Embassy in Indonesia protests erupted in Jakarta demanding the PUTRAJAYA: The historic and cultural including Islamic calligraphy and urges its nationals to take the necessary precau- ouster of the city’s governor Basuki Tjahaja ties between Kuwait and Malaysia con- paintings. tions and avoid sites of the anti-governor Purnama, who was accused of blasphemy after tinue to grow and flourish, Assistant The ministry has previously taken protests, due to be renewed in Jakarta. The making slanderous statements against Muslims Undersecretary of Cultural Affairs in part in several similar events in a num- planned protests are expected to be staged in and the Holy Quran. Kuwait’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic ber of European, Arab, and Muslim Gambir district, and at the Jakarta Convention One man died and nearly 200 protesters and Affairs Dawood Al-Asousi affirmed yes- countries, the Kuwaiti official said, Center, the House of Representatives, the police personnel were injured in the bloody terday. Al-Asousi made his remarks to adding that those participations were People’s Consultative Assembly, Hotel clashes. Purnama, a Christian of Chinese KUNA on the sidelines of the Putrajaya met with high interactions and praises Indonesia and the National Monument in descent who is also known as “Ahok”, is expect- International Islamic Arts and Culture by the visitors. For his part, Kuwait’s Monas Square in Central Jakarta, the embassy ed to face interrogation by the Public Festival (PIIACUF) 2016 in Putrajaya, Ambassador Saad Al-Asousi expressed noted in a statement on Thursday night. Prosecution since his opponents filed a lawsuit Malaysia, where he heads the partici- his joy of the Kuwaiti participation in The statement advised the Kuwaiti nationals against him; the date of his prosecution has yet pating Kuwait delegation at the festi- the international event, indicating to report to the embassy on any eventuality via to be specified. Although he apologized for the val. Kuwait is keen on participating in that this is the second Kuwaiti partici- the phone No.: +6281513252597 or comments he made in September, his oppo- international cultural events, he pation in PIIACUF, which reflects the +6281290992638. It expressed wishes of safety, nents insist on his ouster and gave the govern- affirmed, adding that the GCC country country’s keenness in highlighting its security and stability for the friendly republic of ment of President Joko Widodo a two-week aims, through this event, at highlight- Islamic arts, heritage, handcrafts, and Indonesia. On Friday, November 4, violent ultimatum to replace him. — KUNA ing its cultural role and displaying the fashion on regional and international ministry’s publications to the public, levels. — KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 FGCCC connecting bloc’s economies DOHA: Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim has stressed the vital role of the Federation of Chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (FGCCC) for connecting economic of the member states.