Min 18º Max 37º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16852- Friday, April 22, 2016 US, Gulf united against IS RIYADH: (From left) Mohammad bin Salman second crown prince of Saudi Arabia, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa, Kuwait’s HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said, President Barack Obama, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, Secretary General of the GCC, Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani of Bahrain, participate in the Leaders Photo at the Diriyah Palace during the GCC Summit in Riyadh yesterday.— AP RIYADH: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah shakes hands with US President Barack Obama at the Diriyah Palace during the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh yesterday. — KUNA RIYADH: US President Barack Obama said yes- US President Barack Obama, King Mohammed VI terday that Washington and Gulf Arab states of Morocco and the GCC leaders. Obama, on like- were united against the Islamic State group as he ly his final presidential visit to America’s historic sought to overcome strains on Iran to boost Gulf allies, was in Riyadh seeking to reduce ten- efforts against the jihadists. In Riyadh for talks sions with the Arab states rooted in US overtures hosted by Saudi Arabia, Obama said the United to their regional rival Tehran. States still has “serious concerns” about Iran, but With the IS jihadists suffering a series of recent insisted no country has an interest in conflict setbacks in areas under their control in Syria and with Iran. Iraq, Washington is seeking more help from the Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh oil-rich Gulf monarchies to keep up the pressure. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived in Speaking at the close of the summit of the six- Kuwait, yesterday after participating in the joint nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Obama US-Gulf Summit. The summit, which tackled played down any divisions and vowed continued strengthening strategic partnerships between cooperation in the battle against the extremists. the GCC and the United States, was attended by Continued on Page 2 Local FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 ROYADH: US President Barack Obama (C-L) attending a meeting with Saudi King Salman (C) and Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C-R) during the US-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh yesterday. — AFP US, Gulf united against IS Continued from Page 1 UN-backed peace negotiations between Yemen’s warring sides were due to start in “We remain united in our fight to destroy (IS),” Kuwait yesterday, and Obama “urged all parties” he said. “Given the ongoing threats in the region, to abide by a ceasefire that began on April 11. the United States will continue to increase our Jihadists-including the powerful local branch of security cooperation with our GCC partners Al-Qaeda-have exploited the Yemen conflict to including helping them improve their own strengthen their presence in the country’s capacity to defend themselves,” Obama said. south. Both Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and US Secretary of State John Kerry joined ‘Destabilizing activities’ Obama in Riyadh, holding meetings with top Seated beside Saudi King Salman inside a officials. Riyadh royal palace, Obama said concerns remained about Iran’s “destabilizing activities” Strains ‘overblown’ despite its landmark nuclear agreement with The diplomatic offensive followed months of world powers and the lifting of sanctions. “Even rising tensions between the United States and with the nuclear deal we recognize collectively the Gulf monarchies, which have for decades that we continue to have serious concerns enjoyed strong security ties. about Iranian behavior,” Obama said. He Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the kingdom’s former warned, however, of the risk of confrontation intelligence chief, told CNN that Obama’s con- with Tehran. “None of our nations have an inter- duct and declarations have made Saudi Arabia est in conflict with Iran,” Obama said. Iran’s realise that the relationship has changed. “My emergence from international isolation follow- personal view is that America has changed,” he ing the nuclear deal has worried the Gulf said. “How far we can go with our dependence KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived in monarchies, who fear Tehran will be embold- on America? How much can we rely on stead- Kuwait yesterday after participating in the joint US-Gulf Summit. — KUNA ened to seek a still bigger regional role. Gulf fastness from American leadership? What is it Arab states and Iran back opposing sides in a that makes for our joint benefits to come range of Middle East conflicts, including in Syria together? These are things that we have to Amir arrives in Kuwait and Yemen. recalibrate,” the senior royal said. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states belong to In highly unusual moves, Saudi state news after US-Gulf Summit the US-led coalition that has been carrying out channel Al-Ekhbaria did not broadcast either air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq since mid- the start or the summit meeting or Obama’s air- KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah and National Guard. 2014. But US officials have urged them to do port arrival on Wednesday. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived in Kuwait His Highness the Amir was accompanied more, especially to support Baghdad, which is At a press conference after the summit, yesterday after participating in the joint US- to the summit by First Deputy Prime Minister battling political chaos and an economic crisis Obama said talk of strains “was always Gulf Summit. and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as well as the extremists. overblown”, saying there were “tactical” differ- The summit, which tackled strengthening Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister Ben Rhodes, a close adviser to Obama, said ences on how to deal with Iran. Obama also told strategic partnerships between the GCC and and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- there were “political steps that can be taken,” as the summit that Washington and Gulf states the United States, was attended by US Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Iraq would need assistance to hold on to and would work together to lessen the impact of the President Barack Obama, King Mohammed VI Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Khaled rebuild areas reclaimed from IS. dramatic fall in oil prices since early 2014. of Morocco and the GCC leaders. Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Director of His Highness Obama said a cessation of hostilities in Syria The United States and GCC “will launch a His Highness the Amir was received at the the Amir’s Office Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, is “obviously under tremendous strain” as fight- new high-level economic dialogue with a focus airport by His Highness the Crown Prince Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abu Al- ing has intensified in some areas despite efforts on adjusting lower oil prices, increasing our eco- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Hassan, head of Amiri Protocols Khaled Al- to hold peace talks in Geneva. nomic ties and supporting GCC reforms”, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Nasser, Deputy Foreign Washington hopes that in both Syria and Obama said. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest Ghanim, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Minister Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah, head of Yemen-where a Saudi-led coalition launched air oil exporter, and its petroleum-rich neighbours Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of media and cultural affairs at the Amiri Diwan strikes against Iran-backed rebels in March last have been forced to cut subsidies and adopt Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al- Yosef Al-Roomi, head of political and eco- year-an end to broader fighting can lead to a other measures to deal with deficits caused by Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, nomic affairs at the Amiri Diwan Sheikh greater focus on the battle against IS and other plunging oil prices, which make up the bulk of Finance Minister and Acting Oil Minister Anas Fawaz Saud Nasser Saud Al-Sabah, and other jihadists. their revenues. — AFP Al-Saleh, senior officers in the Army, Police senior officials. — KUNA Local FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 Local Spotlight Photo of the day The new Teresa By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] hile we follow the news of most goodwill ambassadors around the world, I wonder Whow we have benefited from Arab goodwill ambassadors and what makes Western ones seem more serious and generous. Why do goodwill ambas- sadors like Angelina Jolie show more interest towards our sufferings rather than Arab ones? A goodwill ambassador is a person who advocates for a specific cause. They generally deliver a humani- tarian call for support and promote ideals from one entity to another, or to a population. UN agencies have been carrying out these missions for years and to some extent have reached their goals. Jolie represents UNHCR as its goodwill ambassador, and in this role she has conducted more than 40 field visits around the world, becoming well-versed in the phenomenon of displaced people and a tireless advocate on their behalf. Although there are many Western celebrities who have been given this title, she was the only one who KUWAIT: Vendors hawk their wares for shoppers at the Al-Maqasees market in Kuwait City. — Photo by KUNA/Ali showed real interest and passion in the call to support Alroumi those who are in desperate situations.