Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

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

A motion filed by Kuwaiti lawmakers Riyad al-Adasani and Bader al-Mulla to grill Finance Minister Nayef al-Hajraf will be placed on the agenda of a parliamentary session on June 11, announced Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Issa al-Kanderi.

Kanderi told reporters Tuesday that after receiving the deputies’ request, he followed all the procedural measures to inform Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah and the minister in question.

Adasani and Mulla filed the motion to grill the Finance Minister on five major issues - lack of control over budget which prevented reforms and closing accounts, adopting unwise investment policies and harming the rights of pensioners through the mismanagement of social security funds.

In addition, they want to question the Minister on mismanagement of Kuwait Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which has suffered losses of billions of dollars, and his refusal to answer previous questions by Adasani and Mulla. 

Hajraf asserted last week that he was informed of the grilling by the deputy Speaker, adding that the questioning is an essential constitutional right for lawmakers.

"I'm not afraid of anything concerning the interpellation motion as we enjoy freedom,” he said.

He stressed that he will fully cooperate with the MPs. 



Saudi Defense Minister, Lebanese Army Chief Discuss Developments in Lebanon

The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister, Lebanese Army Chief Discuss Developments in Lebanon

The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Thursday with Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.

The meeting in Riyadh focused on reviewing military and defense relations between the Kingdom and Lebanon, as well as discussing the latest developments in Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address them.

Several officials from both sides were present at the meeting.