Kuwait: Kuwait has reportedly prepared lists of pro-Hizbollah expatriates who will be barred from entering the country.
The State Security General General Directorate drew up an Arab list which includes Lebanese and Syrian expatriates affiliated with the Lebanese militia
A second blacklist includes names of Gulf nationals who support Hezbollah on the financial, political and media levels.
Security sources told Alrai Arabic newspaper that the blacklisted persons will be classified as 'persona non-grata' and be deported from the country “through legal mechanisms that take national security and the expatriates’ interests into account”.
The sources said that the blacklist includes names of media figures and business who were proven by compelling evidence to provide financial, media and political support the Lebanese militia or to have established contacts or held meetings with Hizbollah leaders and representatives.
Three mechanisms will be enforced in dealing with the black-listed pro-Hezbollah supporters.
Under the first mechanism, people who were declared persona non grata will be denied entry when they return to Kuwait after their trips abroad.
As a second procedure, blacklisted persons will not have their residence permits renewed once they expire automatically.
Under the third mechanism, some blacklisted persons will be summoned immediately and given a month's deadline to leave the country.
According to the same sources, The State Security General Directorate barred six persons from entering Kuwait on their arrival at the airport and rejected the applications of five others to renew their residence visas.
They are reportedly media figures working for a TV channel and a newspaper.
Alrai newspaper quoted the security sources as saying that two blacklisted persons were summoned and given a month-deadline to leave the country
Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Shaikh Mohammed Al-Khalid has reportedly given the state security authorities all the powers to enforces the measures.
He has also rejected “several demands from people asking for mercy”, describing Kuwait’s security as a “red line not to be crossed”.
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