Kuwait Forms First Government Under New Emir and Prime Minister 

New Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah takes the oath at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
New Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah takes the oath at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
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Kuwait Forms First Government Under New Emir and Prime Minister 

New Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah takes the oath at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
New Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah takes the oath at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)

Kuwait on Wednesday formed a government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem Al Sabah, the state news agency said, the country's first cabinet after the death of its previous ruler. 

Sheikh Mohammed appointed new ministers for oil, finance and foreign affairs in the first cabinet formed under Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah, which he said would carry out reforms to comply with the emir's guidance. 

"This is a heavy responsibility of a new phase of Kuwait's history which includes challenges and aspirations, and requires further hard work and genuine accomplishment," the prime minister said, quoted by KUNA. 

The prime minister appointed Emad Mohammed al-Atiqi as oil minister, Anwar Ali al-Mudhaf as finance minister and Abdullah Ali al-Yahya as foreign minister. 

Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah came to power in December after his predecessor Sheikh Nawaf died. 



Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
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Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)

Qatar's chief negotiator voiced frustration over talks for a truce in Gaza in an interview with AFP, a month after Israel resumed its strikes on the Palestinian territory and another round of negotiations ended without a deal.

"We're definitely frustrated by the slowness, sometimes, of the process in the negotiation. This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day," Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said on Friday.

Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which came into force on January 19 and largely halted over a year of war triggered by Palestinian gunmen’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps.

Hamas has insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase to the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework.

Israel, which had called for an extension to the opening phase, resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Late on Thursday, Hamas signaled the group would not accept Israel's newest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the group said.

"We've been working continuously in the last days to try to bring the parties together and revive the agreement that has been endorsed by the two sides," the Qatari minister of state said.

"And we will remain committed to this, in spite of the difficulties," he added.