ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2015

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Photos by Rizk TaufikSaudi Ambassador Dr Abdulaziz Al-Fayez with the well-wishers.

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Fayez with the ambassadors of Arab and Muslim countries. Ambassador Dr Al-Fayez with the embassy staff. Dr Al-Fayez with Municipal Council members Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Me’jel,Suleiman Al-Rujaib and Ibrahim Al-Maheeni.

Saudi ambassador receives well-wishers on first day of EidThe residence of Dr Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Fayez,Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,was alive with well-wishers on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, as

they exchanged best wishes on the happy occasion.Among the well-wishers were members of the diplomat-

ic corps and dignitaries, embassy staff, and Saudi citizens

shedding light on the historical and bilateral relationsbetween Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

They further praised diligent efforts exerted by the

Kingdom represented by the Custodian of the Two HolyMosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to renew the twomosques and carry out expansion works.

MoH compiles list of ‘absentees’ before start of Eid Al-Fitr holiday

Justice minister launches e-signature project

KUWAIT CITY, July 20:Ministry of Health hasbeen compiling the list ofnames of staff who wereabsent from work beforeEid Al-Fitr holiday to mon-itor those who were onduty during the period,and services at the call cen-ters were sustained toensure that people couldreport any lackluster atti-tude they observed in allministry facilities, reportsAl-Anba daily.

A source said the ministrystipulated that 36 health cen-ters and public hospitalsacross all health regions wereworking optimally during theholiday. He said theInspection Committeechecked the attendance logs toensure that staff resumed anddeparted from their variouslocations at the right time, andthey followed the fingerprintsystem.

He revealed that sectorUndersecretary Dr Khalid Al-Sahlawi issued a directive to theInspection Committee to monitorthe attendance, and anybodyfound guilty of violation shouldbe referred for official proce-dures.

He said the ministry is deter-mined to provide quality servicesand won’t condone any act ofinsolence, reiterating the inspec-tion covered doctors, nurses,technicians and administrativestaff.

Meanwhile, Minister of Awqafand Islamic Affairs, the Ministerof Justice Yacoub Al-Sane’launched the Ministry of Justice’se-signature project in cooperationwith the Public Authority for CivilInformation (PACI), reports Al-Seyassah daily.

He indicated e-signature proj-ect is among the basic infrastruc-ture of e-government that enablesthe government authorities toexpand their services using civilID.

He explained that the service islegal and does not allow the recip-ient to dodge his obligations and

Photos by Samir ShiqeerTop & above: The deputy Jordanian ambassador with some of the well-wishers.

mutual interests in contracts anddecision making.

For his part, the director of PACIMosaed Al-Asousi said PACI hasaccomplished the national projectand developed the gate of e-identi-ty with much effort, time and com-mitment to relevant security crite-ria.

He added e-signature usingcivil ID is the most importantchallenge against hindrances thegovernment authorities face inproviding services via theInternet.

In the meantime, the Ministry ofEducation will announce vacan-cies in the educational and admin-istrative sectors immediately afterthe Eid holidays, saysUndersecretary Dr Haitham Al-Athari.

In a statement to KUNA, Al-Athari confirmed the decision hasbeen taken to fill up vacancies,starting from the senior positionssuch as directors general of educa-tional districts and directors ofeducational and administrativedepartments.

He said these vacancies will befilled starting from October.

He clarified the percentage ofvacancies differs from one districtto another.

For example, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational District has abig percentage of vacancies butthe ministry will fill them beforethe next school year begins, headded.

He disclosed the ministry willsoon receive newly recruitedteachers – 200 from Jordan and400 from Egypt.

Deputy Jordanian ambassador receives well-wishersShakir Al-Amoshi, deputy of the Jordanian Ambassadorto Kuwait, received well-wishers on the occasion of EidAl-Fitr in the diwaniya of the Jordanian Embassy. Military

AttachÈ Brigadier Salal Al-Khawalda, Cultural AttachÈMahmoud Al-Khalailah and a number of members of theJordanian community in Kuwait attended the event.

KUNA chief visits Albania’s news agency

TIRANA, July 20, (KUNA): The Speaker ofthe Parliament of Albania, Ilir Meta on Mondaypraised Kuwait’s freedom of press.

Albanian Parliament Speaker met withBoard Chairman and Director General ofKuwait News Agency (KUNA) SheikhMubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah anddiscussed relations between the two countries,particularly in media field, adding that ForeignPolicy Advisor Ralf Gjoniwas present in the meet-ing.

Albanian ParliamentSpeaker hailed the steadi-ly development of rela-tions in the two countries.

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij stressed the impor-tance of cooperationbetween KUNA andAlbanian’s news agencyto offer up-to-date andcredible news coverage.

He also hailed the role of Kuwait’sAmbassador to Albania Najib Al-Bader inenhancing relations with Albania.

The meeting was attended by KUNAChairman of Marketing and Public RelationsEssam Al-Ruwayeh.

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij has started officialvisit to Albania upon an invitation from direc-tor general of Albanian news agency.

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah is visiting Albania upon an invitationfrom the Albanian Telegraphic Agency chiefGezim Podgorica.

KUNA chief, along with diplomaticattachÈs at the Kuwaiti embassy Yaser Al-Bader and Faisal Al-Bakr, met on Monday anumber of officials at the Albanian newsagency.

During the visit, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaijdiscussed with Albanian counterpart the jointagreements signed between the two agencieswhich aim at enhancing cooperation in allrealms, especially in the field of photos andnews exchange.

Podgorica thanked KUNA chief for accept-ing his invitation while Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij extended a similar invitation to hisAlbanian counterpart to visit KUNA.

Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij stressed theimportance of media to provide the public withthe latest developments that take place inAlbania, especially that of the cancelation oftourist visa for Kuwaitis, the investment oppor-tunities and the plans to launch a direct flightbetween Kuwait and Albania.

Albanian parliament speakerhails Kuwait’s press freedom

Colombia congratulated: HisHighness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-AhmadAl-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Monday a cable toPresident of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos,congratulating him on his country’s nationalday.

His Highness the Crown Prince SheikhNawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah andHis Highness the Prime Minister SheikhJaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sentsimilar cables. Meanwhile, NationalAssembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanimsent on Monday a national day congratula-tory cable to Colombia’s President of theHouse of Representatives Fabio Raul AminSaleme and President of the Congress andthe Senate Jose David Name Cardozo.(KUNA)

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CP thanks well-wishers: His Highnessthe Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-AhmadAl-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed his apprecia-tion to all citizens and residents of Kuwaitwho greeted him on Eid Al-Fitr.

His Highness the Crown Prince recipro-cated by wishing them well in their endeav-ors. (KUNA)

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Reconstruction bids: The Ministry ofPublic Works set July 28, 2015 for interestedcompanies to bid for the reconstruction ofImam Al-Sadiq mosque, indicating the com-panies should present financial and technicaloffers to ensure the magnificent structure ofthe mosque is restored, reports Al-Rai daily.

Assistant Undersecretary for MaintenanceAffairs Eng Mohammad Bin Nakhi made theannouncement during his meeting with repre-sentatives of the participating companiesrecently.

He said the renovation works could be com-pleted within four months if the contractors willwork in two shifts. He urged the contractors tomake sure the project is fully executed withinsix months — a period he regarded as morethan enough including the bidding phase.

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Customs continue: The people of Kuwaitcontinue to practice an ancient custom — theruler of the State leading Eid prayers, reportsAl-Qabas daily.

Part of the tradition is the ruler’s visit todiwaniyas where the hosts usually preparebreakfast consisting of rice, fish or chicken,coffee, juice and tea shared with relatives andother worshippers.

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MoE work schedules: The Ministry ofEducation has announced that employeesassigned in grade schools and Kindergartenswill resume work on Sept 6 while those inintermediate and secondary schools will be onSept 16, reports Al-Qabas daily quotingsources.

Sources said classes for Kindergarten andfirst grade students will start on Sept 1, fol-lowed by the other primary levels the next day.

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Iranian FM due: Iranian Foreign AffairsMinister Jawad Zareef will visit Kuwait nextweek as part of his GCC tour to inform theGulf officials on Iran’s nuclear deal with 5+1Group, reports Al-Nahar daily quotingsources.

Sources said Zareef will meet the con-cerned Kuwaiti officials to brief them on thecontents of the deal, indicating the Kingdomof Saudi Arabia is excluded from his itiner-ary.

News in Brief

Sheikh Al-Duaij