Manama: Kuwait has asked local mobile providers to block access of pornographic and immoral sites through BlackBerry services.

The communication ministry in Kuwait discussed the issue with the three providers of mobile services in the Arabian Gulf, asking them to block pornographic sites using the necessary software, according to the daily newspaper Al Qabas, which quoted unnamed sources.

It reported that Kuwait would not end BlackBerry services, but has insisted on blocking pornographic sites.

The request comes as several countries in the region have been pushing for a ban of Research in Motion's BlackBerry Messenger service, citing national security concerns.