JAMADA ALAWWAL 29, 1439 AH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018 Max 24º 32 Pages Min 10º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 17458 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait condemns violence Reluctant consort to Denmark’s Ants nurse wounded Real hit back to beat PSG 3-1; 4 against Rohingya minority 11Queen, Prince Henrik dies at 83 23 warriors back to health 16 5-star Liverpool thrash Porto Kuwait pledges $2bn for Iraq’s reconstruction as $30bn raised Amir opens KICRI • UN chief urges support for Iraq KUWAIT: (From left) World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and EU High Commissioner Federica Mogherini attend the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Iraq in its fight against terrorism, HH the Amir noted, sive reconstruction process that will cover infrastruc- tion to Iraq, the United Nations, the European Union Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated the Iraqi people on the pointing out that the international community seeks to ture and other public utilities, a task that cannot be and the World Bank, all as co-chairs of KICRI, along victory achieved that led to the defeat of the so-called reward these sacrifices that turned the lives of Iraqis in borne by Iraq alone, which is a matter that has urged with the host country. He concluded by announcing $1 Islamic State (IS) and abolishing it from most of its soil. IS-controlled areas into a “living hell”. “us” to call on the international community to partake billion in loans to Iraq through the Kuwait Fund for His remarks came during the official inauguration of the The results of this conference are a continuation of all and shoulder its responsibility. Arab Economic Development, as well as another $1 bil- Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction “our” efforts, the Amir said. “Yet, we should not neglect “In light of our realization of such consequences, we lion in investments in Iraq. of Iraq (KICRI) yesterday. Governments, global funds, the suffering of our brothers in Syria and Yemen due to considered the vital role of the private sector in rein- Donors had pledged $30 billion by the final day of organizations and investors pledged billions of dollars the ongoing conflicts taking place there, but we are con- vigorating the investment environment in Iraq. Last the international conference, according to Kuwait. “The in loans and investment at the conference for Iraq, a fident that we and the international community will sup- night, more than 2,000 businesses from the private sec- commitment of the international community at the con- nation reeling from a three-year war against IS. port them as soon as security and stability are restored.” tor came to examine investment opportunities in Iraq. ference was clear,” said Kuwaiti Foreign Minister The significant level of participation in this confer- Sheikh Sabah added that the magnitude of destruc- Also, non-governmental organizations contributed in Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, adding that 76 ence, whether government, civil or private, comes as a tion inflicted on Iraq by terrorist groups cannot be lessening the suffering of the Iraqi people,” he said. countries, numerous international funds and global global recognition of the magnitude of sacrifices by overlooked, which requires Iraq to embark on an inclu- HH the Amir, during the speech, extended apprecia- Continued on Page 11 Tillerson upbeat on Mideast Zuma resigns; peace plan; acknowledges Tsvangirai dies role of Hezbollah in Lebanon PRETORIA/HARARE: South AMMAN: US Secretary of State Rex Shiite movement Hezbollah - the only African President Jacob Zuma Tillerson yesterday conceded that Iran- faction to have retained its weapons after announced his immediate res- backed Hezbollah is part of the “political Lebanon’s civil war - is a member the ignation yesterday after the process” in Lebanon, appearing to soften Lebanese government of Prime Minister ruling ANC party threatened to Washington’s tone ahead of a visit to the Saad Hariri. Despite being branded a “ter- eject him from office via a par- country. “We support a free, democratic rorist” organization by the United States liamentary vote of no confi- Lebanon free of influence of others, and and targeted with economic sanctions, dence. Scandal-tainted Zuma we know that Lebanese Hezbollah is Hezbollah has risen to play a decisive role AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah (right) meets US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at said in a 30-minute national influenced by Iran. This is influence that in regional conflicts including Syria. The his residence yesterday. — Petra television address that he had we think is unhelpful in Lebanon’s long- US Justice Department in January “come to the decision to resign term future,” Tillerson said at a press announced the creation of a special task early February against six individuals and heart of a political crisis in Lebanon that as president of the republic Jacob Zuma conference in Jordan. “We also have to force to investigate what it called “nar- seven businesses with alleged links to saw Hariri quit - and then later rescind his with immediate effect”. “I have acknowledge the reality that they also are coterrorism” by the powerful movement. Hezbollah financier Adham Tabaja. The resignation - amid a tug-of-war between served the people of South part of the political process in Lebanon.” The United States levied sanctions in group’s influence was last year at the Continued on Page 11 Africa to the best of my ability. I am forever grateful that they trusted me with the highest office in the land,” he said. Indian bank finds $1.8bn Lawyer admits paying $130K Zuma, whose reputation has been stained by years-long fraud at single branch to porn star linked to Trump allegations of graft, had been instructed to step down by the MUMBAI: India’s second-largest state- state-owned lenders the government is WASHINGTON: Donald Trump’s per- African National Congress run bank said yesterday it had detected trying to clean up, said transactions sonal lawyer has told US media that he fraud of almost $1.8 billion at one of its worth $1.77 billion had been made “for (ANC) party. He complained Morgan Tsvangirai paid $130,000 out of his own pocket to about the process, saying: “I branches, sending its shares plunging the benefit of a few select account hold- a porn star who has said she once had don’t fear exiting political office however I have only more than nine percent. The Punjab ers with their apparent connivance”. an affair with the now US president. asked my party to articulate my transgressions and National Bank (PNB), one of several Continued on Page 11 Long-time Trump attorney Michael the reason for its instructions that I vacate office.” Cohen said he was not reimbursed for Zuma has been at loggerheads with deputy presi- the payment to the actress, whose real dent Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor as name is Stephanie Clifford and who president and the new head of the ANC. Parliament goes by the stage name of Stormy Stormy Daniels could elect Ramaphosa as president as early as Daniels. Cohen told the New York today or tomorrow. Times, which first reported the story on US media reports have said the pay- Separately, Morgan Tsvangirai, the veteran Tuesday, that the payment was legal. He ment was made one month before the Zimbabwean opposition leader who fought Robert declined to give details such as why he Nov 2016 election to keep the liaison Mugabe’s regime for many years, died yesterday after made it, or if Trump was aware of the quiet. Trump was a private citizen when battling against cancer, a party official said. Tsvangirai, payment at the time. the 2006 sexual encounter with Clifford who founded the Movement for Democratic Change “Neither the Trump Organization nor allegedly took place. He was married at (MDC) in 1999, was among the most prominent critics the Trump campaign was a party to the the time and his wife Melania had given of Mugabe, the long-time authoritarian leader who was transaction with Ms Clifford, and nei- birth to their son less than four months ousted from power in November. ther reimbursed me for the payment, earlier. The payment was first reported “It is sad for me to announce that we have lost our either directly or indirectly,” Cohen said, last month by the Wall Street Journal. icon and fighter for democracy,” Elias Mudzuri, one of according to the Times. “The payment Cohen’s statement to the Times marked the vice-presidents of the MDC, said on Twitter. to Ms Clifford was lawful, and was not a the first time he acknowledged a role in Tsvangirai’s death was confirmed to AFP by another MUMBAI: A man walks out of a branch of state-owned Punjab National Bank campaign contribution or a campaign what he termed a “private transaction”. senior party member. He was 65. — AFP yesterday. —AFP expenditure by anyone.” Continued on Page 11 2 Established 1961 Local Thursday, February 15, 2018 Amir meets officials participating in Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq Foreign Minister meets visiting officials KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Iraqi Prime His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with UN Secretary-General Minister Haidar Al-Abadi. —KUNA Antonio Guterres. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Industry and Energy Arkady Dvorkovich.