KUWAIT, Jan 29 (Saba) - Celebrations for the Fifth Anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah began here Saturday as part of Kuwait's joyous national occasions of the 50th Anniversary of Independence and 20th Liberation Day.

During his years of rulership, Sheikh Sabah, the 15th Amir of Kuwait and fifth within the constitutional era, had left his mark within the regional and international scene through his continuous efforts and determination to make Kuwait one of the key nations of the world.

His Highness the Amir, which assumed his position as ruler on January 29th, made sure that Kuwait's relations with fellow Arab and Islamic states as well as the international community were solid and strong, conducting a number of tours that saw him visit several nations.

Within the local scene, Sheikh Sabah always supported the nation's welfare providing grants and facilities to ease the financial liabilities of the Kuwaiti people as well as launching the ambitious Kuwaiti plan for development in full determination to make Kuwait one of the well-known regional and international hotspots.

On the Arab and Islamic level, His Highness the Amir called for the economic and financial welfare of Arab and Muslim nations holding events like Arab economic and social development summit, which came from a Kuwaiti initiative aimed at bolstering Arab economic ties, as well as the fourth World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in which Sheikh Sabah had donated a sum of USD 100 million to the Decent Living Fund aimed at supporting the needy in Muslim nations.

It is also worthy to note that His Highness allocated a sum of USD 500 million to help kick-start a USD two billion fund for Arab economic development in addition to donating USD 34 million to the UNRWA as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people during the Arab economic and social development summit, a paramount that witnessed several resolutions aimed at bolstering Arab economic and social ties.

His Highness continues to serve the Kuwaiti people and his country with love and compassion and a recent gesture of such was the generous Amiri grant of KD 1,000 to each Kuwaiti citizen and free food commodity supply for 14 months as part of Kuwait's national festivals and celebrations.

Saba