KUWAIT: Kuwait's parliament began discussing emergency measures to impose martial law on the country that is at the heart of US military preparations, while over the weekend 4,000 special forces were deployed around Kuwait city.
The measures come as America's key ally in the region braces itself for the joint threats of a possible attack from Iraq should war be declared, as well as terrorist activity from within the country.
Iraq's deputy prime minister, Mr Tariq Aziz, said last week that Kuwait would be part of any "battlefield" in the event of a US-led invasion of Iraq and would not rule out the specific targeting of the country.
With Iraq in possession of a number of short-range missiles, permitted to it under the ceasefire terms of the first gulf war, Kuwaiti army commanders are pushing for martial law to be enforced as soon as possible so that the country can marshall its defences.
Military rule is seen by many government officials, however, as the final step before a war and is unlikely to be declared before then.
A senior Kuwaiti official said: "We have to be extra vigilant with tension building in the region, but we must remain calm before then."
With the country ringed by Patriot missile batteries capable of dealing with Iraqi missiles, security officials are focusing their attention on clamping down on the recent spate of terrorist violence in the country that has seen two Americans killed and four injured.
A group claiming to be affiliated with al-Qa'eda declared itself responsible for the attacks with the declared intention to "liberating Kuwait from colonialism", in reference to the thousands of American forces now gathering in the country.
In an interview with London- based newspaper Sharq al-Awsat, a man calling himself Abu Osama al-Kuwaiti claimed that attacks against US targets would continue raising alarm among officials.
Following the murder of US defence contractor Mr Michael Pouliot last month, dozens of people have been arrested along with stores of rifles and rocket- propelled grenades seized.
A 25-year-old Kuwaiti has subsequently been charged with the killing following his arrest as he tried to flee over the Saudi Arabian border.
A defence official said: "We are aware of the threat posed by this new terrorist group and will continue to make arrests until the country has been made safe again."
Despite the increased measures, however, and the threat of attack, Kuwaitis are supportive of the US military preparations.
Memories of the 1990 invasion continue to bolster what many see as a war that will bring lasting peace to the region.
Hundreds of wreaths have been laid at the site of the recent shooting and posters continue to go up through out the city offering support to the US.
"We know what the evil of Saddam and Osama bin Laden can do," said one Kuwaiti, "that is why we have to join America in fighting them."