Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce Survives No-Confidence Motion

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City in this file photo. - REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City in this file photo. - REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce Survives No-Confidence Motion

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City in this file photo. - REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City in this file photo. - REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

Kuwait's National Assembly rejected Wednesday a motion of no-confidence in the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Khaled al-Roudan.

Thirty-seven MPs voted against the no-confidence motion and 11 others voted in favor out of the 48 lawmakers who attended the session.

Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah extended his congratulations to the minister on the renewal of confidence.

The Emir praised Roudan's performance and efficiency during his responses to the interpellation and the democratic practice that characterized the civilized image of the homeland, wishing him all the best in his journey to serve Kuwait.

A total of ten MPs signed the no-confidence motion on March 19. They are Abdulkarim al-Kandari, Khaled al-Otaibi, Mohammad al-Mutair, Farraj al-Arbeed, Thamer al-Suwait, Shuaib al-Muwaizri, Saleh Ashour and Abdullah al-Enezi, Mubarak al-Hajraf and Humaidi al-Subaie.

After renewing the confidence, Roudan pointed out that "it is wonderful to gain the confidence of the public through their national representatives."

He promised to address the issues that Hajraf and Subaie raised during his questioning, confirming that gaining the confidence of the Assembly strengthened his resolve to combat corruption and follow the path towards national reform.

The Assembly decided to refer the interpellation to the Public Funds Protection Committee. The interrogation included financial and administrative violations, wasting public funds and the absence of a supervisory role in the ministry of commerce.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Pakistani Counterpart Review Relations, Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Pakistani Counterpart Review Relations, Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held phone talks on Friday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the two sides reviewed the brotherly relations between the two countries, discussed the latest developments, and affirmed continued coordination and consultation in this regard.


Saudi Crown Prince, Italian PM Discuss Fallout of Military Escalation in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Italian PM Discuss Fallout of Military Escalation in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah on Friday to review bilateral ties and explore ways to strengthen cooperation.

The two officials also discussed regional developments, including the risks of ongoing military escalation to global trade, energy security, and the world economy, while stressing coordination to support Middle East stability.

Meloni’s visit marks the first by a European Union leader to the region since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, according to Reuters.

In an interview with Italian state television, Meloni said her country stands with Gulf states against Iranian attacks, describing them as “friends and strategic partners,” and calling her visit “a gesture of solidarity.”

Speaking from Jeddah, she stated that her trip is primarily focused on oil, noting that Gulf countries supply about 15% of Italy’s needs. She stressed the importance of securing stable energy supplies.

Meloni arrived in Jeddah Friday and was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and other Saudi figures.


Islamic Ministers’ Executive Council Condemns Iran’s Attacks on the Region

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Islamic Ministers’ Executive Council Condemns Iran’s Attacks on the Region

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Executive Council of the Conference of Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs condemned the deliberate Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Jordan, accusing Tehran of seeking to destabilize the region, terrorize civilians, kill innocents and target homes, infrastructure, desalination plants, airports and diplomatic missions.

In a statement after a virtual meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the council said the attacks violated Islamic values and principles, good neighborliness, international treaties and international law, and posed a threat to international peace and security.

The council said the attacks could not be justified under any pretext and called on Iran to halt them immediately and stop supporting, funding or arming affiliated militias.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and Chairman of the council Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh urged condemnation of the heinous attacks by Iran and its militias on Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan.

He said the attacks violated Islamic principles and international laws, undermined regional security and reflected a reckless attempt to push the region toward chaos and strife.

Alsheikh said Saudi Arabia and its leadership were capable of defending the country, protecting Islamic holy sites and confronting any threat to its security and resources.

The Kingdom had strengthened national unity, with citizens rallying behind the leadership and supporting its decisions, he added.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the minister said the meeting came at a time of “abnormal circumstances” in the Muslim world marked by rising aggression.

He accused Iran of carrying out daily hostile acts, including launching drones and missiles without justification toward Saudi Arabia, Gulf states and Jordan, and said those countries remained steadfast, strong and aware of their responsibilities toward their religion, leadership and nations.