Kuwaiti businessman challenges Tony Blair to TV debate

A Kuwaiti businessman has challenged former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to a televised debate on the future of the Gulf state.

Fahad Al-Othman has taken out three-quarter-page adverts in several leading Arabic newspapers inviting Blair to go head-to-head before the nation, after it was revealed the Briton was paid £1m ($1.5m) to advise the Kuwaiti royal family.

The deal was initially kept secret at the request of the Kuwaiti government, but details were released last month by the by the UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACBA), the body that vets the jobs of former ministers.

Al-Othman, chairman of Kuwait-listed education provider HumanSoft Holding, asked Blair in the advert to “accept the challenge of a live TV debate”.
The pair would discuss the Kuwait government’s development plan, he said, adding that the invitation was made “in good spirit”.
Blair has said Kuwait needs to change if it is to fulfill its potential and avoid an "uncertain future".
Speaking at the launch of the Vision Kuwait 2035 initative, he said: "Kuwait's history is great with a proud tradition of entrepreneurship and trading. Its potential is enormous and its people are talented and creative. But the plain truth is, that without a change in direction, this potential will not be realised.”
A Facebook group has already formed supporting Al-Othman’s bid for a television debate. Fans posted comments asking when the event would take place, with one adding it would be “an exceptional event”.

ma agool ella allah yaster :|