Manama: A Kuwaiti lawmaker has called upon the interior ministry to ensure that the country will not be used as a platform by Muslim Brotherhood sleeper cells.

MP Abdullah Al Tamimi made the appeal days after authorities in the UAE said that they had uncovered an Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood cell recruiting members in the country and collecting sensitive military information.

“We must be vigilant to ensure that we are immune to the threats of these cells,” the lawmaker said. “Kuwait must not be turned into an open field for such cells, especially that we have a large community of Egyptians. They are our brothers, but we categorically reject all sleeping terror cells that might infiltrate the Kuwaiti society and state institutions,” he said.

Al Tamimi said that the arrest of three cells in the UAE meant that Kuwait was not immune to their presence in the country.

“The arrests of the Muslim Brotherhood cells do confirm that Kuwait could also be used by such cells,” he said. “We have seen some action by some members of their community here, so we do urge caution and vigilance. My requests are based on my keenness on the stability of Kuwait.”

The dangers of sleeper cells are expected to be taken up by the Kuwaiti parliament when it holds a special session behind closed doors to discuss the security situation in the country.

Reports have emerged that the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood wanted to strengthen its presence in the Gulf countries. However, officials from the powerful religious group have denied the claims.