Al-Yousef: 'Who Could Forget Saudi Arabia's Stance?'

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef affirmed that Kuwait stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, heart and soul. Speaking at the signing ceremony of the government partnership sponsorship agreement for the Saudi Super Cup between the General Authority for Youth and Sports and the Al-Rai – Aayan Alliance, he said: “My first message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince is that Kuwait stands with the Kingdom, heart and soul. I do not believe any Kuwaiti will forget the stances we witnessed and experienced in the Kingdom, and what the Kingdom is facing today, as if the entire Gulf is facing it. The martyrs and the wounded over the past four or five days are like martyrs and wounded within Kuwait or any other Gulf country.”

Regarding the hosting of the Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait, Al-Yousef stated that it reflects the Kingdom’s leadership confidence in Kuwait’s sports officials, adding: “I do not believe there is a stronger message than this one sent by the Kingdom to Kuwait.” He noted that the Ministry of Interior has mobilized all its resources to ensure the success of the tournament, not only for the public but for everyone coming to Kuwait, recalling the atmosphere of the Gulf Cup and pointing out that holding the tournament in December would be ideal. He said: “The Ministry of Interior is ready throughout the year, 365 days a year. There is no difference between a tournament and a non-tournament day, and interior ministry personnel work 24 hours a day.”

Al-Yousef further addressed Saudi fans, saying: “Welcome to Kuwait. Kuwait is your home. No one can say there is a difference between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; we are one country and brothers. I cannot say more than that.”

On security and traffic plans related to crowd entry and exit, the deputy prime minister explained that the Al-Nuwaysib center is expected to receive the largest number of spectators, noting that the number of booths would be doubled from 10 to 20.

Regarding the operation of Terminal 1 (T1), Al-Yousef said it is scheduled to begin operations in November and will be prepared to handle additional civil aviation flights from Saudi Arabia, adding that there is no problem in this regard. He pointed out that special procedures would be implemented for officials and players, clarifying: “We will not subject them to biometric fingerprinting; instead, we will issue them a specific type of identification that they will use to enter and exit.”

In a fraternal message expressing the strength of Kuwaiti-Saudi ties at both official and popular levels, the Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait, Prince Sultan bin Saad, posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account an image featuring the Saudi and Kuwaiti flags alongside a Quranic verse from Surah Al-Qasas: “We will strengthen your arm through your brother and give you both authority so they cannot reach you with Our signs. You and those who follow you will be the dominant ones.”