SUBSCRIPTION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 JAMADA ALTHANI 14, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait predicts Groups urge Mosque attack Spurs stung; Lin a budget deficit end to Saudi drama headlines leads Hornets of KD 223 billion arms sales7 Saudi40 Film Fest fightback20 91-88 34 perish as terrorists hit Min 18º Max 28º airport, metro in Brussels High Tide 12:40 Low Tide Amir offers condolence; Kuwaitis in Belgium safe 06:38 & 18:38 40 PAGES NO: 16822 150 FILS BRUSSELS: Thirty-four people were killed in attacks on Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train in the Oil workers Belgian capital yesterday, according to public broadcast- er VRT, triggering security alerts across Europe and protest cuts bringing some cross-border traffic to a halt. A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic and shots shortly before By Nawara Fatahova two blasts struck a packed airport departure lounge at Brussels airport. The federal prosecutor said one of the KUWAIT: Over 3000 workers from different oil com- explosions was probably triggered by a suicide bomber. panies gathered at the Oil and Petrochemical The blasts occurred four days after the arrest in Industries Workers proposal yesterday to protest Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant against the proposed decisions to remove some of attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police and their benefits. The President of the Oil and combat troops on the streets had been on alert for Petrochemical Industries Workers Confederation Seif reprisal but the attacks took place in crowded areas Al-Qahtani said that all the unions and workers are united - as they reject any form of cuts. “We’re not SEE PAGE 8 creating problems; we are just defending our rights,” he said. “Oil labor unions have the same demands. We are where people and bags are not searched. All public against the Strategic Alternative which is - death to transport in Brussels was shut down, as it was in London the oil sector. Also we are also against privatizing during 2005 Islamist militant attacks there that killed 52. the oil sector which will put us under the power of Authorities appealed to citizens not to use over- private sector and the businessmen,” he added. loaded telephone networks, extra troops were sent into Salah Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the KOC Labor Union the city and the Belgian Crisis Centre, clearly wary of a said that the oil crisis is caused by wrong policies further incident, appealed to the population: “Stay and bad management. “The salaries of the oil sector where you are”. British Sky News television’s Alex Rossi, at employees is already included in the cost of oil bar- the airport, said he heard two “very, very loud explo- rel - and is not included in the fifth section of the sions”. “I could feel the building move. There was also national budget (salaries) - so it’s not part of the dust and smoke as well...I went towards where the explosion came from and there were people coming out budget” he stressed. BRUSSELS: A picture released by the Belgian federal police shows a screen grab of the airport CCTV camera Continued on Page 15 looking very dazed and shocked.” showing three suspects of yesterday’s attacks at Brussels Airport. — AFP Continued on Page 15 LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifah Haji Aman. — Amiri with Head of the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party MP Walid Jumblatt. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Sri Anifah Haji Diwan and KUNA photos Aman sign a trade agreement between the two countries. Kuwait, Malaysia sign trade agreement Amir meets Malaysian Foreign Minister KUWAIT: Kuwait and Malaysia signed a trade agreement as focused on boosting bilateral ties at all levels. and touched Jumblatt, and Lebanese Health Minister Wael Abu Faour on a step to boost bilateral ties at all levels, especially on the on the recent regional and international developments. the occasion of their visit to the country. His Highness the trade front. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Foreign Ministry’s headquarters by First Deputy Prime Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yester- Khaled separately met with the Lebanese officials as well. Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- day Sheikh Sabah Khaled, accompanied by Malaysian Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received newly- Hamad Al-Sabah and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Sri Foreign Minister Aman and his accompanying delegation appointed officials at the Ministry of Commerce and Anifah Haji Aman. on the occasion of his visit to the country. His Highness the Industry. Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Yousif Al- The signing ceremony was attended by acting Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Ali introduced the new Assistant Undersecretary of Legal Foreign Minister Ambassador Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Sabah and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Affairs Dr Mohammad Meshabib Al-Jalal Al-Siheli and Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for proto- Ghanem also received the visiting Malaysian minister. Assistant Undersecretary of Trade Monitoring and cols Ambassador Dhari Al-Ajran, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Consumer Protection Affairs Eid Khlaif Al-Rashidi. His Malaysia Saad Al-Asousi, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Kuwait Lebanese officials Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Ahmad Dato Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, and senior officials In other news, His Highness the Amir received Head of Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister also meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri at the Ministry. The two ministers held talks earlier which the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party MP Walid received the newly-appointed officials. — KUNA Anifah Haji Aman. Malaysian FM praises Malaysia-Kuwait ties KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Agreement to this list earlier yesterday.” Company, Kuwait Real Estate Investment Dato Sri Anifah Aman yesterday praised the lev- He added that the agreements and memo- Consortium KS, Alafco Aviation Lease and el of bilateral cooperation between his country randa of understanding help to provide the Finance Co. and Agility Logistics. “Our doors are and Kuwait, expressing hope for further frameworks to enhance cooperation between always open for Kuwaiti companies to expand enhancement of such ties. Malaysia and Kuwait. On the horizon, there are their investments in Malaysia,” he said. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait News a number of pending agreements that both He pointed out that “education is an area in Agency (KUNA), Aman said he was delighted to sides are looking to finalize and sign in the near which we see vast potential for both countries. be making his first official visit to Kuwait on 21- future including in higher education, youth and We have Malaysian students studying at the 23 March at the invitation of First Deputy sports cooperation. Islamic Institute and Kuwait University. Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah “Despite the close relations between Likewise, there are Kuwaiti students in Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. “Kuwait has always Malaysia and Kuwait, exchanges of high level Malaysia’s universities, especially at the post- held a special affinity to me and I am glad to be visits could be more frequent. I am hopeful that graduate level. However, the number is very back. This visit is my third here in as many His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber small, which I believe can be increased.” Institute of Hydraulic years. I made working visits to Kuwait on 27-29 Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah will soon May 2015 and 24-25 August 2014.” embark on his first official visit to Malaysia in Fight against terrorism Resources President He added that “the arrangements and hospi- the near future. There were plans for him to visit Asked about his assessment of the Saudi-led tality accorded to me and my delegation dur- Malaysia over the past few years, but because coalition against Terrorism Aman said that con- ing this visit, and previous visits, have all been of various developments, it unfortunately did temporary developments have given rise to arrives in Kuwait wonderful and I hope Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled not materialize,” he said. extremism in various regions around the world. will allow me to return the favor when he The challenges posed by the Islamic State (IS) KUWAIT: Ines Maria Chapman Waugh, Operations of Banco Exterior de Cuba and makes his long overdue official visit to Malaysia Trade partner and other terrorist groups pose serious security President of the National Institute of Rosell Guerra Campana, Director of in the near future.” Asked about the level of trade cooperation challenges. Hydraulic Resources (INRH) arrived to Renewable Energy of the Ministry of Energy He added that his visit aimed at further between the two sides, Aman said Kuwait is an “Malaysia strongly condemns any act of ter- Kuwait to complete a working visit at the and Mines. strengthening the close bonds of friendship important trade partner for Malaysia in the GCC rorism and violence including by the so-called invitation of Abdulwahab Al-Bader, Director The visit will last until March 26. During and cooperation between Malaysia and Kuwait region as the total bilateral trade in 2015 Islamic State or IS which have caused grave General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab her stay, President of INRH will be received in all fields, particularly that this visit is very amounted to $1.02 billion, which is a decrease injuries and losses to many innocent lives.