ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait has launched emergency security measures that
could last until the end of any U.S.-led war against neighboring Iraq.
"The deployment will continue until the tension subsides," Kuwaiti
Interior Minister Mohammed Khalid Al Sabah said. "Kuwait is going through a rough period and this won't be a
picnic. Kuwait's appearance will change as of Saturday."
On late Thursday, the U.S. Army reported another shooting attack against
a convoy near the city of Jahra, Middle East Newsline reported. Nobody was injured.
Kuwaiti officials said the measures include roadblocks throughout the
sheikdom, the closure of major highways, bolstered army and police
deployment and frequent stop and searches of Kuwaitis.
The interior minister said the security measures will begin in Kuwait on
Saturday and will mark unprecedented coordination between the military,
police and National Guard. Khalid said security forces will be deployed at
major intersections and around U.S. facilities.
Khalid suggested the emergency measures could last for months. He cited
the rash of attacks against U.S. soldiers and civilians in the sheikdom and
threats of an escalation in a campaign attributed to Al Qaida and Iraq.
Over the next few weeks, Khalid said, the United States will vastly
increase its military presence in Kuwait. The minister said the U.S.
military presence could reach 100,000 over the next two weeks as the
sheikdom is expected to serve as the main launching pad of any attack on
Iraq.
The minister said the U.S. presence would include 18 warships and 350
fighter-jets outside Kuwait. He said pro-Iraqi insurgents plan to conduct
sabotage operations against U.S. forces.
Kuwaiti officials said security officers have discovered weapons
arsenals around Kuwait City. They said the weapons were believed linked to
Al Qaida supporters and included anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades, hand
grenades, AK-47 Kalashnikov assault weapons and a large amount of
ammunition.
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