Kuwaiti Govt Resigns over Disputes with National Assembly

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah. (KUNA)
Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah. (KUNA)
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Kuwaiti Govt Resigns over Disputes with National Assembly

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah. (KUNA)
Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah. (KUNA)

Kuwait’s government, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah, submitted its resignation to Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah on Monday after weeks of tension with the National Assembly over the approval of a financial aid package that lawmakers want in exchange for waiving the demand to buy loans.

The government has upheld its position to return the reports of the Finance Committee to the committees without any pledges.

The government has also insisted that parliament withdraw debriefing requests against Minister of Finance Abdul Wahhab Al Rushaid and deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Barak Al Shaitan that were to be held during a National Assembly session on Tuesday.

The cabinet had held its weekly meeting on Monday after which Al Shaitan said the PM had submitted the government's resignation to the crown prince.

He added that the resignation stemmed from the deadlock between the government and parliament, hoping that the crown prince would take the measures he sees fit for the higher interest of the country.

Before its resignation, the cabinet had hailed the amnesty decreed by Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah, saying it reflects wise political leadership and consolidates the values of tolerance.

It also decided to stop issuing extraordinary salary decisions and assign the Ministerial Committee for Economic Affairs to review and examine all measures taken in this regard.

This issue was one of several that had caused tensions with the National Assembly.

The government had previously approved the disbursement of exceptional salaries to ministers, general managers, and former officials at a time when deputies were calling for financial aid to citizens.



GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.