Kuwait Appoints New Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
TT

Kuwait Appoints New Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)

Kuwait issued a new Emiri decree appointing retired General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the interior minister, and Sheikh Talal Khaled al-Ahmad al-Sabah as defense minister.

They were both appointed as deputies to the prime minister.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah received the newly-appointed ministers on Wednesday at Dar al-Yamama, where they took the constitutional oath.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the Emir affirmed the necessity of increasing efforts to preserve Kuwait's security, wishing them further success, noting the importance of cooperation with the legislative authority to meet the aspirations of citizens for the benefit of all.

In February, Kuwait's government said that an Emiri decree was issued to accept the resignation of Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Mansour al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

The two former ministers submitted their resignations in protest of the manner of parliamentary questioning, saying the lengthy grilling was an abuse of power.

Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, born in 1956, is the eldest son of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. He is a retired Lieutenant-General who was the Deputy Chief of the National Guard since November 2021 and served as the Governor of Hawalli Governorate.

He also held several positions in the Ministry of Interior, most recently the Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Training Affairs.

Sheikh Talal al-Sabah was the governor of the capital after serving as an official spokesman for the oil sector and president of the Kuwait Oil Tanker.

The appointment comes amid the ongoing tensions between the government and the parliament, which resulted in subsequent questioning of the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Works.

The current government was formed in December, the third in 2021, to resolve a long-running crisis with the parliament that has hampered the state's efforts to implement financial reforms.

Next Wednesday, the parliament is scheduled to vote on a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Public Works after questioning him in parliament over accusations of not taking sufficient measures to combat corruption.

On Wednesday, three deputies in the National Assembly submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding unconstitutional practices and looting of public funds.



Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
TT

Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday appointed the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Mansour Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, as the country's next minister of health.

The Emir appointed Mohammed Saif Saeed al Suwaidi as QIA's next CEO.

As part of Tuesday's cabinet shuffle, Qatar's Emir also appointed Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani as the country's new minister of commerce and industry.
Sheikh Faisal is QIA's chief of Asia-Pacific and Africa investments and the chairman of Qatari telecoms group Ooredoo. It is unclear if he will remain in those roles.
The Emir appointed Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater as the new education minister. She served previously as minister of state for international cooperation and led Qatar's global humanitarian efforts, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.