Kuwait emir visits Army Officers Club

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accompanied by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and deputy head of National Guard Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, visited Kuwait Army Officers Club Monday evening. Sheikh Sabah was received by Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, chief of staff General Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah, Defense ministry undersecretary Jassar Abdulrazzaq Al-Jassar, senior army commanders and ministry officials. Sheikh Sabah, in a speech, congratulated the armed forces on the holy month of Ramadhan, and commended their role to protecting Kuwait, a task that required collaboration of efforts. He said the world has been witnessing a rapid development in armament, production of weapons and military equipment "which compel us to cope with modern military technology and use it." Sheikh Sabah said the government of Kuwait would spare no effort to providing the sophisticated weapons and equipment for the armed forces, as well as holding advanced courses. His Highness the Amir urged the armed forces to be vigilant vis-a-vis regional development "and to confront whoever seek evil." Chief of staff General Sheikh Khaled said the armed forces were honored by His Highness the Amir's visit. "Your relentless support for the military institution increases our determination to overcome all challenges and difficulties ... to protect the sovereignty and independence of our country Kuwait," he said. He underlined that the armed forces of Kuwait were keen on preserving security and stability of the country. His Highness the Amir then signed the record of honor of the Club. The Amir also visited Police Officers Club and was received by First Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Interior Ministry Undersecretary General Ghazi Abdulrahman Al-Omar and his Assistants. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, addressing the Police officers, thanked the personnel for the enforcement of law "which reflects our pride that law is applied on all." Sheikh Sabah said safeguarding safety of citizens and their properites, and public facilities "is a great burden on your shoulders." He said the government would do its utmost to improve the "security culture" among the security departments to enable them carry out their duties properly. Sheikh Sabah called on the police forces to confront "alien negative phenonema in our society, like violence between the youth, drugs, violating the law and crimes of fraudlent." Sheikh Sabah urged departments concerned in the interior ministry to enforce the law strictly to prevent road accidents that killed and injured people. He called on the ministry to coordinate with other state authorities to address traffic congestions "which have become worrisome for citizens." Sheikh Sabah said collaboration of citizens and expatriates would eliminate spread of crime. Interior Undersecretary General Al-Omar said the ministry was using sophisticated technology and scientific planning to provide services for citizens. Al-Omar said crimes in general have decreased by 14.3 percent over the past year, crimes against people dropped by 15.5 percent, and assaults and rapes declined by 13.9 percent. Al-Omar said fraudlent cases dropped by 13.7 percent, noting that the ministry addressed residency status of 40,538 expatriates. He, however, said drug cases increased by 35 percent and violence-related crimes jumped by 38 percent. Al-Omar said the ministry was determined to exert efforts to prevent occurrence of crimes, as well as cracking down on traffic violations, which resulted in less deaths by 22 percent, less accidents by 21 percent, while number of new driving lisences declined by 47 percent. He said the ministry also launched e-services for citizens and expatriates. Al-Omar, however, said the ministry was ready for the July 27 elections in order to guarantee smooth and transparent voting. During the visit to the Police Officers Club, His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince were offered memoraial shields. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also visited Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Officers Club, where he was received by KNG head His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, his deputy Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, KNG acting undersecretary Major-General Eng. Hashem Abdulrazzaq Al-Rifae and senior officers. His Highness the Amir, in a speech, congratulated KNG personnel on the holy month of Ramadhan and commended their role in backing the armed forces. "You are playing a great role and have huge responsibility in the contribution to the protection of the nation and safeguarding its safety, security and stability," he added. Sheikh Sabah commended the leadership of KNG chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and his deputy Sheikh Mishal, who spared no effort to develop KNG and improving capabilities of its personnel. He said the regional developments required vigilance "to protecting security and safety of our nation, protecting its public and private facilities. I am fully confident you will carry out your duties properly." Acting KNG undersecretary Major-General Al-Rifae welcomed His Highness the Amir and said the KNG has been progressing in solid steps 46 years since its establishment, and its personnel believed that achievements would not happen without sacrifice. Al-Rifae said KNG won Kuwait's Transparency and Reform Award which reflected determination of its administration in integrity and transparency. He said KNG was carrying out a vital role in protecting the vital and strategic installations of the country through cooperation protocols with the state authorities. Al-Rifae noted that KNG hosted the First Youth Forum and launched an initiative to train Kuwaiti youth, out of keenness to promote KNG's social responsibilities. The KNG Acting Undersecretary reiterated that the National Guards were ready to sacrifice their souls for the sake of their country. Then a group of graduates of specialized and vocational training courses of the Kuwaiti youth initiative presented the outcome of their work to His Highness the Amir. Sheikh Sabah signed the record of honor. His Highness the Amir was accompanied during the visits by Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Amiri Diwan Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, senior government officials and Sheikhs