SUBSCRIPTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 THULQADA 5, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Farwaniya gov Pressure California Chelsea win calls to restudy on Pakistan lawmakers goalfest, demographics leader to quit pass first US City crash, of expats2 amid protests7 plastic bag9 ban Man20 Utd held GCC ‘resolves’ spat with Max 45º Min 30º Qatar, envoys to return High Tide 02:37 & 15:14 Gulf states ready to help counter IS jihadists Low Tide 09:16 & 21:23 40 PAGES NO: 16271 150 FILS JEDDAH: Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday said that the Gulf monar- Kuwaiti man chies have resolved a six-month spat with Gulf Cooperation Council partner Qatar, which they had kidnapped accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. Sheikh Sabah said after a GCC meeting in the Saudi Red Sea resort of Jeddah that differences were settled because in Lebanon unity was needed to face the common threat posed by radical Islamic State jihadists. BEIRUT: The Kuwaiti Embassy in Beirut said it is in contact with the Lebanese security bodies over reports on the Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates abduction of a Kuwaiti citizen in east Lebanon. “The and Bahrain, withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar in embassy is closely following the issue to verify the report- March in an unprecedented public protest largely ed kidnap and determine the circumstances of the abduc- believed to be spurred by the tiny nation’s support for tion, and will work for the safe release of the Kuwaiti citi- Islamist groups in Egypt, Libya, the Gaza Strip and else- zen,” it said in a statement to KUNA. Media reports said the where. They accused Qatar of interfering in their Kuwaiti citizen was kidnapped in the Baalbek district and domestic affairs and failing to uphold a security pact his captors are demanding a ransom to release him. drawn up last year. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have little Separately, the Lebanese army is investigating pictures tolerance for Muslim Brotherhood-linked activity and and video footage of the alleged beheading of a Lebanese perceive the Islamist group as a threat to their political soldier by Islamic State jihadists, a military spokesman told systems. AFP yesterday. IS supporters released a video showing the Sheikh Sabah said the ambassadors could return to decapitation of a blindfolded man in military fatigues, and their posts “at any time”, without giving a specific date. presented as one of 19 Lebanese soldiers abducted by His Omani counterpart, Yussef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, jihadists in eastern Lebanon on Aug 2. “We are investigat- earlier told reporters: “The crisis in the Gulf has been ing,” a military spokesman said, without saying whether resolved.” Oman and Kuwait have been acting as media- the video was thought to be authentic. tors in the row. Continued on Page 13 JEDDAH: Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers meet in this Saudi Red Sea city yesterday. — KUNA Continued on Page 13 Iqama rules leave many confused Absconders to be deported...but not all By Nawara Fattahova Pro-Palestinian KUWAIT: New regulations by the Ministry of Interior regarding residence UK MP attacked visa renewals in the past months have left expats confused if the rules also LONDON: A man has been charged with a religiously- include absconding cases. Kuwait Times motivated “assault by beating” on British MP George visited the Immigration and Passport Galloway, police said yesterday. Galloway, who recent- Department in Shuwaikh, where a clerk ly declared the northern English city he represents an said that if a new employer pays the fines “Israel-free zone”, was attacked on a west London of a violating employee, he can easily street on Friday night. Police said Neil Masterson, 39, transfer his residency. She also said that had been charged with even in absconding cases, if the director “assault by beating which is of the deportation department signs the religiously aggravated” and papers for a transfer, a violating abscond- would appear in court ing employee can legalize his status. But JEDDAH: In this June 27, 2014 photo, Saudi King Abdullah speaks before a meet- tomorrow. “It is thought that this may be an individual case or proce- ing with US Secretary of State John Kerry at his private residence. — AP the attack is connected to dure. Mr Galloway’s support for In July, the Ministry of Interior the Palestinian cause,” his announced taking over absconding cas- Saudi king warns of Respect Party said in a state- es from the Ministry of Social Affairs and ment. Labor. The Head of Public Relations and The outspoken Scot, Moral Guidance at the Ministry of Interior Adel Al-Hashash threat to Europe, US dubbed “Gorgeous George” Brig Gen Adel Al-Hashash had explained whose visas expired after they changed by the British media, recently George Galloway that a sponsor will not be able to drop an jobs but they didn’t transfer their visa to RIYADH: The king of Saudi Arabia has those very same weapons on the kingdom. made headlines when he absconding case he filed against an the new employer, among others. warned that extremists could attack Europe “I am certain that after a month they will declared Bradford to be an Israel-free zone and urged employee or maid. Such a worker will not “The ministry has amended the proce- and the US if there is not a strong interna- reach Europe and, after another month, people to reject all Israeli goods, services and tourists. be able to legalize his or her status after dure that was followed when violating tional response to terrorism after the Islamic America,” he said at a reception for foreign A Respect spokesman said the incident appeared to paying the fines and will be deported. expats were arrested, by giving them the State group seized a wide territory across ambassadors Friday, including a new envoy be connected with Israel because the attacker had Earlier this month, Hashash stressed opportunity to legalize their status, so Iraq and Syria. While not mentioning any from the United States. Official Saudi media been shouting something about the Holocaust. that the Ministry of Interior has approved they can stay in the country after paying terrorist groups by name, King Abdullah’s carried the king’s comments early yesterday. Galloway, who once lauded former Iraqi leader new rules replacing the amnesty that the fines and legalizing their status,” statement appeared aimed at drawing “These terrorists do not know the name of Saddam Hussein, stunned British politics when he was given in the past, so that visa viola- Hashash told Kuwait Times. “Previously, Washington and NATO forces into a wider humanity and you have witnessed them won his West Bradford seat in 2012 to become one of tors can legalize their status. The new when violating expats were arrested, fight against the Islamic State group and its severing heads and giving them to children only a handful of lawmakers from outside the three rule, according to Hashash, is only for they were immediately deported and did supporters in the region. Saudi Arabia open- to walk with in the street,” the king said, urg- major parties. Bradford has a large Muslim minority. those whose visas have expired due to not have the chance to enter the country ly backs rebels fighting Syrian President ing the ambassadors to relay his message He has been discharged from hospital after treatment various reasons. This rule includes cases again. Now a violator can pay the penal- Bashar Al-Assad, but is concerned that the directly to their heads of state. for his injuries. — Reuters such as those who were on family visas ties and transfer his visa to continue his breakaway Al-Qaeda group could also turn Continued on Page 13 and couldn’t renew it, or employees stay in Kuwait,” he added. Lesotho PM flees military ‘coup’ MASERU: Lesotho’s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane yesterday accused his country’s army of staging a coup against him and fled to neighbouring South Africa, which condemned the military’s action and called for a peaceful settlement. Early morning gunfire was heard in Maseru, capital of the small southern African kingdom encircled by South Africa. Army units occupied police headquarters and surrounded the prime minister’s residence, residents and diplomats said. Hours after the army’s move, the capital was reported to be quiet but it was not immediately clear who was running the government of the mountain- ous state of two million people. Thabane, who in June had dissolved parliament to avoid a no-confidence vote MOUNT SINAI, New York: A New York teen taking a test drive of a family friend’s Lamborghini against him amid feuding in his two-year- died after crashing the high-powered sports car into a guardrail. Police said 18-year-old Samuel old coalition government, said he had Shepard was taking the car for a spin on a county road in Mount Sinai on Long Island early Friday crossed over to South Africa because he when he lost control. The car’s owner, Michael Power, was a passenger in the car and was treated feared for his safety. “There was clearly an for nonlife-threatening injuries. Dep Sgt Michael Fitzharris told Newsday that excessive speed is effort to launch a coup,” Thabane told believed to be a factor in the crash. Of the test drive, Fitzharris said, “I think it was probably just a Reuters, saying he was at his daughter’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kid, and this man chose to give him this opportunity.” home in South Africa. MASERU, Lesotho: Two armed policemen leave the Maseru Central Charge Office Shepard’s father, Gene, told the newspaper that Lamborghinis were his son’s favorite car.