Football hooligans: Kuwait vows zero tolerance

Manama: Kuwait's interior ministry has vowed a zero-tolerance policy towards security and traffic violations as the country braces itself for massive street jubilations by expatriate fans following the crucial football match between Algeria and Egypt on Wednesday.

"The ministry has taken all precautionary measures to tackle any attempt to break the law and there will be a zero-tolerance policy towards any breach of security or traffic. Parades and large assemblies will be strictly banned," Colonel Mohammad Al Sabr, the interior ministry spokesman, said. "Everyone has the right to celebrate and express happiness, but without abusing the rights of other people."

Thousands of euphoric and vociferous Egyptians filled the main streets in Kuwait City on Saturday after their national team's win in a crucial match against Algeria for the 2010 World Cup finals.

The ministry's warning and call for restraint came ahead of the final match between Algeria and Egypt on Wednesday in neutral Sudan to decide which of the two teams will qualify amid local concerns that street jubilations and joy triggered by a qualification would be marred by horrific verbal abuses and physical violence. More than 250,000 Egyptians live in Kuwait, making them one of the largest expatriate communities in the country. The Algerian community is much smaller.

Tension between the two Arab countries, fuelled by the media and bloggers, has reached unprecedented levels with both sides reporting acts of violence and sabotage against their nationals and interests.

Al Sabr said that expatriate football fans needed to reign in their enthusiasm and abide by the local culture and safety standards in celebrating victories and expressing public joy.

"While the ministry shares the expatriates' happiness, we urge them to express it within the confines of sports and fair play, without harming or hurting anyone and ensuring their own safety and that of other people," Colonel Mohammad Al Sabr, the interior ministry spokesman, said.