U.S., Kuwait renew defense pact for another 10 years

NICOSIA — Kuwait and the United States have renewed their defense treaty amid threats from Iraq.

Kuwaiti officials said a 10-year pact that expires this year has been renewed for another decade. The current treaty expires in the summer.

"This has been automatically renewed for a similar period, starting from the expiry date of the current pact," Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah said. "There is a clause in the pact that stipulates automatic renewal as long as no party informs the other of its intention not to renew, or to change some clauses."

Kuwait has 4,500 U.S. troops in the sheikdom. Kuwait also allows British and U.S. warplanes to be deployed in air bases. U.S. officials expect the air presence to be increased.

"Kuwait's feeling of security is primarily attributed to the presence of foreign troops," Kuwaiti Lt. Gen. Ali Al Moumen said in an interview to the British Broadcasting Corp.

In addition, Kuwait has signed defense treaties with Britain and France. Kuwait has also signed defense cooperation agreements with Russia and China. Officials expect Kuwait to renew these treaties as well.

At the same time, Kuwait has placed army units on maximum alert amid renewed Iraqi threats.

On Monday, Kuwait launches celebrations to mark 10 years since the U.S.-led allied forces expelled the Iraqi occupation. Arab countries, including those that participated in the 1991 Gulf war against Iraq, sent low-level representation to the emirate.