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Kuwait Govt Accepts Resignation of Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwaiti MPs attend a parliament session at the national assembly on February 16, 2022. (AFP)
Kuwaiti MPs attend a parliament session at the national assembly on February 16, 2022. (AFP)
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Kuwait Govt Accepts Resignation of Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwaiti MPs attend a parliament session at the national assembly on February 16, 2022. (AFP)
Kuwaiti MPs attend a parliament session at the national assembly on February 16, 2022. (AFP)

Kuwait’s government said on Thursday that an Emiri decree was issued accepting the resignation of Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al Sabah and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The state news agency KUNA quoted the government’s spokesperson as saying that another Emiri decree was issued appointing Minister of State and Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al Sabah as acting Defense Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Minister of Water and Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohammad Al-Faris as acting Minister of Interior.

The two officials had submitted their resignations on Wednesday in protest against “the manner of parliamentary debriefing” of ministers.

During the past weeks, the ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs were subjected to a grilling session, which was followed by a vote of confidence at the National Assembly.

Opposition deputies had intensified their interrogations of members of the government. While the foreign minister survived a no confidence vote on Wednesday, Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Ahmad said the lengthy grilling was an “abuse” of power.

Parliamentary questioning, which can extend over two weeks, usually paralyzes political and parliamentary work in Kuwait, at a time when the government is seeking to pass several legislations pertaining to the economic situation and public finances reform.

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Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)

Riyadh and Cairo are setting up the framework for the Saudi-Egyptian Higher Coordination Council, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the move strengthens political, economic, and development ties between the two nations.

In a televised statement on Thursday, Abdelatty said: “We are working on the council’s coordination structure,” highlighting the “strong strategic partnership and continuous cooperation” between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signed an agreement in Cairo in October to establish the council, which they will co-chair.

In November, Egypt approved the council, saying it aims to strengthen cooperation and communication between the two countries in various fields.

Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Majrashi called the council a step toward deeper Saudi-Egyptian integration, focusing on investment and trade under the guidance of both nations’ leaders.

“The council sets a framework for future collaboration, particularly in areas like investment and trade, under the directives of both nations’ leaderships,” Al-Majrashi said, citing earlier remarks by Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi about his mandate to promote investment in Egypt.

Former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Rakha Ahmed Hassan said the council will remove obstacles to cooperation and deepen ties across all sectors.

Egyptian Senator Dr. Abdel Monem Said described Saudi Arabia and Egypt as the region’s “balancing pillars,” saying stronger cooperation is crucial to tackle regional challenges. He called the council a key step toward stability and joint action.

“No Arab country can face regional instability alone,” he said, adding that the council will help protect both nations from threats and improve coordination on shared challenges.

In September, Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said the council would deepen ties and boost cooperation in politics, trade, investment, and development.

Last month, Egypt’s government said the council will include officials from both sides, hold regular meetings in both countries, and replace the previous joint committee framework.