Security lapses reported at Kuwait's airport

Kuwait has sought to improve security at its international airport after Westerners complained that the facility was vulnerable.

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has sought to crack down on lapses of security committed by the airport's largely foreign staff. The Ministry has been investigating complaints that baggage was inadequately checked in and unauthorised people were granted access to Kuwait International Airport.

"Unless such complaints are taken seriously enough, the airport terminal as well as aircraft and passengers will always be vulnerable to sabotage or terrorist attacks," an official said.

Officials said authorities have been lax in maintaining security at the airport. They said unauthorized personnel have gained access to restricted airport zones. In one case, airline security agents stopped a passenger who carried three cigarette lighters. The lighters contained butane, not permitted on flights. The airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, reported the security lapse. But officials said nothing was done. British Airways has filed several complaints regarding breaches in security. The airlines said Kuwaiti authorities failed to place security guards on flights to and from the Gulf Arab sheikdom. Officials said the lax security often stemmed from untrained and inexperienced personnel. They said foreigners as well as stateless Kuwaitis, known as Bedoons, were entrusted with airport and other security.

Kuwait's Public Authority for Fatwa and Legislation has asked the Interior Ministry to stop accepting bedoons and expatriates from joining police and security forces.

The authority said preference should be given to Kuwaiti nationals.