UN official to visit Kuwait to discuss issues with Iraq

The UN secretary general’s special representative for Iraq will be in Kuwait next week to review outstanding issues between Baghdad and Kuwait City. At a news conference following a meeting with Iraqi religious leader Ali Sistani in Najaf, Martin Kobler said he “will visit the State of Kuwait next week to discuss Iraq’s exit from Chapter VII of the UN Charter,” Kuwait News Agnecy (Kuna) reported. According to the official news agency, Iraq is yet to address thorny issues that included the missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals, the return of the national archives, payment of compensations and maintenance of border signs. Obligations Kuwait had repeatedly voiced support for Iraq, but Baghdad has to implement its international obligations towards Kuwait, the agency said late on Monday. Last month, Kobler said in Basra that he would visit Kuwait after Eid Al Adha holidays to discuss with the Kuwaiti officials ways to help Iraq get out of Chapter VII of the UN Charter in addition to Mubarak Al Kabeer port in Kuwait. Gulf shipping lanes The construction of the port has waded into controversy after tensions flared following claims by Iraqi lawmakers said that the mammoth project would strangle its shipping lanes in the Gulf. Kuwaiti officials have dismissed the fears, insisting that the port would benefit the whole region. However, Kuwait has insisted that the standoff over the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port will end through understanding and coordination between the two countries. “Kuwait is waiting for the final report from the Iraqi authorities concerning the findings and recommendations of a technical committee that investigated the matter,” Khaled Al Jarallah, Kuwait’s foreign ministry, said.