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Kuwait reviews preparations for possible US-Iran war
AFP
KUWAIT CITY
Petroleumworld.com 05 10 07The Kuwaiti government on Wednesday briefed MPs on contingency plans to face a possible breakout of hostilities between the United States and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme, a senior minister and lawmakers said.
A government emergency team explained to parliament's foreign relations committee the possibility of Kuwait coming under attack or being targeted by terrorists if Washington strikes Iran, committee chairman Mohammed al-Sager told reporters.
The meeting was held at the request of parliament and attended by several ministers including Defence and Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah, who heads the emergency team.
"We have briefed MPs with all the preparations we have taken for any future emergency or catastrophe," Sheikh Jaber said in a statement.
Sager said the discussion also tackled issues like a possible influx of refugees into Kuwait and nuclear fall-out from neighbouring Iran.
Two weeks ago, the cabinet formed the team, which includes representatives of the defence, interior, oil and health ministries as well as the fire and civil defence departments.
Washington has said it would prefer to address its concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme diplomatically but has refused to rule out the option of military action.
It has beefed-up its military presence in the Gulf and has a second aircraft carrier stationed there for the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Kuwait served as the launch pad for that invasion and remains the main staging point for US-led troops in Iraq.
Around 15,000 US troops are stationed at several bases in the emirate. The largest is at Arifjan, near the border with Saudi Arabia.
AFP 09 1453 GMT 05 07
Copyright© 2007 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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