Manama: Kuwait gave the Philippine ambassador one week to leave the country and recalled its top diplomat in Manila for consultations, the foreign ministry said.
The ministry reiterated in a statement its full rejection and condemnation of the blatant violation of diplomatic norms by the embassy of the Philippines.
Embassy staff and others helped Filipina house workers flee from the homes of their employers in a blatant challenge of the laws of Kuwait and in violation of the international conventions, the ministry said.
The activities by the embassy were interference on the internal affairs of the country and an infringement on the tasks of its security agencies, it added.
Kuwait also rejects statements by officials in the Philippines which indicated that the Foreign Ministry sent reinforcements to its embassy in Kuwait consisting of seven teams under the allegations they were to rescue domestic workers in Kuwait, the statement said.
Kuwait sees such acts and statements as a clear violation of international principles and norms and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs twice summoned the ambassador and gave him two protest notes expressing Kuwait's deep concern and condemnation of these grave violations.
Kuwait also asked the Philippine ambassador to provide within three days the names of Filipino residents who kidnapped the women workers. However, the embassy failed to provide the names, the statement said.
Kuwait said that its security agencies would keep looking for those involved in breaking the rules in order to refer them to justice according to international diplomatic laws in this regard.
Kuwait also declared the Philippine ambassador persona no grata and gave him one week to leave the country.
It also announced that it was recalling its ambassador in the Philippines for consultations.
“Kuwait stresses determination to overcome this exceptional situation and move towards wider horizons of close ties within the framework of the historical and deep relations between the two countries,” the statement said.
It stressed the importance of addressing the issue with wisdom away from any negative and harmful incitement by the media in order to achieve the common aspiration towards beneficial relations between the two friendly countries, it added.
