“Expansion of Mobarak Port” Discussed

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Parliamentary Speaker Usama Nujaifi today discussed with the Kuwaiti ambassador to Iraq Ali Al-Mum’in the latest bilateral relations and developments on the Kuwaiti port question in order to ease the existing tension between the two countries.  In a statement issued by Nujaifi’s Office, a copy of which was received by IraqiNews.com, the two sides discussed “the latest developments in bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.”  Both sides tackled “easing tensions on the expansion of Kuwaiti Mobarak port.”   Nujaifi announced on Sunday that the parliament will host both the foreign and transport ministers to clarify the existing Iraqi-Kuwaiti land and water problems, following the Kuwaiti expansion of Mobarak port to cover Bobyan Island and to follow-up on matters related to the Greater Fao Terminal.  The statement pointed out that “the expansion of the Kuwaiti port has formed an Iraqi and Arab public opinion due to the contradictions among political entities, which necessitates clarifying matters in a manner that will not affect the rights of the two brotherly countries.”  Iraqi maritime sources said that Kuwait is establishing a port in front of Iraq Great Fao terminal.  According to the experts, it is believed that the Kuwaiti port will cut the road to the Iraqi terminals and strangle their economic importance. RM (TI)/SR 488