Kuwait says forces on alert after Saddam threats’

KUWAIT, AUG 10: Kuwait has put a part of its armed-forces on alert in reaction to comments by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that are seen...

KUWAIT, AUG 10: Kuwait has put a part of its armed-forces on alert in reaction to comments by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that are seen as threatening, the official Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported.

KUNA quoted Defence Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah al-Salemal-Sabah as saying late on Wednesday that Kuwait’s military was prepared for any “emergency in light of the recent Iraqi statements and threats”.

“Out of vigilance, we put on alert part of our armed forces but not at maximum alert,” he said. “We should remain vigilant as we cannot trust the Iraqi regime,” he added.

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Kuwait had earlier condemned Tuesday’s verbal salvo by Saddam against Gulf Arab leaders, saying it was a sign that Baghdad still harboured hostile intentions towards its neighbours.

Saddam lashed out at the leaders of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab States for hosting US and other Western military bases since the 1990-91 Gulf conflict over the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Some Gulf Arab States recently resumed diplomatic relations with Iraq, but Kuwait and Gulf powerhouse, Saudi Arabia, remain opposed to restoring links with Iraq.