Kuwait lawmaker urges Asian counterparts to tackle terrorism

(MENAFN- Arab Times) ISLAMABAD Dec 2 (KUNA): Leading representative of Kuwait's parliament the National Assembly MP Faisal Al- Kandari at Asian parliamentary talks called on Tuesday to accelerate international efforts on tackling terrorism in all its forms and attempts to link it with Islam. In a speech delivered at the conference in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore he expressed regret over attempts to link the actions of extremist groups with the faith of Islam which calls for peace tolerance and calls against violence and prejudice. He called on attending Asian representatives to take steps that symbolize the principles of friendship and cooperation and tackle terrorism and extremism.

He also urged them to work to protect cultural diversity to fight corruption to help eradicate poverty to work to protect the rights of the immigrant labourforce and to fight the illegal drug trade. Achieving global peace stability and development particularly in Asia 'requires us - Asian parliaments - to push towards strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation' he said.

He described the Asian parliamentary talks as a 'strategic and fundamental' requirement going on to refer to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's initiative in hosting the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit talks in Kuwait in 2012 which were aimed at boosting cooperation in the continent.

Addressing the Palestinian affair he condemned Israeli settlement building in Jerusalem which he said was a clear breach of international law and a direct transgression on Islamic sentiment. Israeli practices most recently the attack on Gaza undermine the peace process and this will lead to catastrophic humanitarian economic and social consequences he warned.