Kuwait's defense and interior ministers submitted their resignations to the prime minister on Wednesday over "abuse of interrogations."
Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmed Mansour al-Ahmed submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah in protest of "the abuse of the use of constitutional tools."
Both ministers were subjected to interrogation, followed by a vote of confidence in the parliament, reflecting the crisis between the legislative and executive branches.
The Kuwaiti government was formed at the end of December with the participation of four lawmakers, including three from the opposition.
Kuwaiti analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the resignations might lead to the cabinet's resignation. It could be followed by a "non-cooperation" motion with the parliament and the dissolution of the National Assembly as a constitutional solution.
In the letter of resignation, the ministers expressed their deep regret for the situation in the country and the misuse of constitutional tools.
They indicated that in light of the current political conditions and given their responsibility towards the public, it became impossible to work and achieve the reforms and development that the Kuwaiti people deserve.
The ministers added that the "sad reality" resulted from "historical accumulations and failures at the level of the executive and legislative authorities," reiterating that achieving reform became "almost impossible."
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammed passed a vote of no confidence after a parliamentary investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
The National Assembly renewed confidence in the minister after 23 members voted in favor out of the 44 politicians who attended the session.
The Assembly held a special public session to vote on the request of ten lawmakers who pushed for the vote to oust the Foreign Minister.
MP Shuaib al-Muwaizeri filed the motion to question the minister over allegations of squandering public funds, breaching laws and mismanagement, failure to protect the country's political interests, and non-adherence to international treaties and documents.
On the other hand, MP Abdullah al-Mudhaf submitted a questioning motion of Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Ali al-Mousa.
The interrogation includes failure to combat corruption at the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), indifference in dealing with the reports of monitoring institutions and fact-finding committees, indecisiveness in referring officials suspected of involvement in corruption to the concerned authorities, and abusing powers granted to the minister and senior officials.
Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said the motion will be discussed during the next parliamentary session.
