Kuwait protests to Lebanon over Hizballah activities in Gulf emirate

Kuwait protested to Lebanon over the alleged training by Hizballah of 21 Shias convicted last month on charges of forming a "terror cell" in the Gulf emirate.

Kuwait's ambassador in Beirut delivered a letter late on Friday which confirmed the emirate's supreme court had found that "Hizballah took part in contacts, coordinating meetings, paid funds and provided arms and military training in Lebanon" for the defendants.

It called on Lebanon to take "the necessary measures to curb these disgraceful practices" by Hizballah as it is a partner in the government, ambassador Abdulaal al-Quenai told the official KUNA news agency.

It demanded that pressure be put on the Shia militant group, which has ministers in the Lebanese government, to ensure there was no repetition.

The protest follows Kuwait's expulsion of 15 Iranian diplomats on Thursday over Tehran's alleged links to those convicted.

Unlike neighbouring Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Kuwait maintains diplomatic relations with Iran, but sectarian issues remain sensitive.

Shias make up around one third of Kuwait's population.