SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 23 April 2024, Tuesday |

Kuwait Reappoints Oil, Finance Ministers in New Cabinet

Kuwait reappointed Oil Minister Mohammed Al-Fares and Finance Minister Abdul Wahab al-Rasheed in a cabinet formed on Monday under a new prime minister.

 

Last week the crown prince of the Gulf Arab OPEC producer had named Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Sabah as prime minister to replace Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid, who had faced a combative parliament in a feud between the government and elected assembly that has hindered fiscal reform.

 

Now that a government has been formed, parliament is expected to hold a session to approve the state budget.

 

The government would also oversee legislative elections to be called by Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who last month said he was dissolving parliament in a move welcomed by lawmakers pressing for a new premier.

 

Sheikh Meshal late last year took over most of the duties of the country’s ruling emir.

 

The new 12-member cabinet includes only one woman, Rana Al-Fares, who was appointed minister of state for municipal affairs and telecommunications and information technology affairs.

 

The defense minister is also acting interior minister, a position that was previously held by new premier Sheikh Ahmad, who is the current emir’s son.

 

The previous government had resigned ahead of a non-cooperation vote in parliament against Sheikh Sabah, who had been prime minister since late 2019.

    Source:
  • Asharq Al-Awsat