Crown prince expresses gratitude for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between US and Iran
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait. PHOTO: Radio Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kuwaiti people in a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister offered his condolences for the loss of life and prayed for the recovery of the injured. He also briefed Kuwaiti leaders about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The crown prince expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and supported the prime minister’s role in seeking regional peace and stability, the statement read.
He thanked Pakistan for its support to Kuwait during the crisis and for the prime minister’s recent letter of solidarity. He also expressed his desire to visit Pakistan once the situation improves, he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured the Crown Prince that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Drone attack targets Kuwait
Kuwait said on Friday that its main commercial port, the port of Shuwaikh, was the target of a “hostile” drone attack, causing property damage but no injuries.
The Kuwait Ports Authority said unmanned aerial vehicles hit the port early in the morning, damaging facilities. Emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant agencies.
Shuwaikh Port, located in an industrial area near Kuwait City, is the country’s main maritime trade center, handling the storage, distribution and commercial shipping of cargo.
Earlier, firefighters battled a fire at a giant oil refinery in Kuwait after a drone attack, as Iran maintained a wave of attacks on its neighbors and vowed there was “no concern” about its missile production.
Read more: Kuwait refinery hit as Iran says missile production ‘no cause for concern’
Despite calls from European leaders on Thursday for an end to attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, Kuwait reported a fire at its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, a day after a direct hit on the vital Ras Laffan facility in Qatar.
Iranian authorities had vowed to retaliate after an Israeli strike on Wednesday damaged its South Pars gas field, which taps into the world’s largest known gas reserve and is vital for domestic supplies.
The incident occurs amid an escalation of regional tensions following a joint offensive between the United States and Israel against Iran launched on February 28.
Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks against Israel and other countries in the region, including those hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure and disrupting markets and aviation.
