Dr Soua'd Al Sabah

The settlement of a libel action brought by Dr Soua'd M Al Sabah, a member of the Kuwait ruling family, against the Independent newspaper was announced in the High Court yesterday. The action related to a report on 12 May that Dr Al Sabah was seeking an injunction restraining publication of a book, Thatcher's Gold, which contained a serious libel.

In the High Court yesterday, the Independent offered "very sincere and unreserved apologies to Dr Al Sabah for having repeated the allegation complained of, which we acknowledge is totally without foundation."

The newspaper agreed to pay Dr Al Sabah substantial compensation and costs.