Nine New Ministers in the Kuwaiti Government

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, pictured here presiding over the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017, has sworn in a new government. Jon Gambrell / AP
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, pictured here presiding over the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017, has sworn in a new government. Jon Gambrell / AP
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Nine New Ministers in the Kuwaiti Government

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, pictured here presiding over the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017, has sworn in a new government. Jon Gambrell / AP
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, pictured here presiding over the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017, has sworn in a new government. Jon Gambrell / AP

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued on Monday a royal decree to form a new government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

The previous cabinet resigned on October 30 when its acting information minister, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, was questioned by parliament and faced a no-confidence vote over violations of budgetary and legislative rules.

The 16-member cabinet features nine new ministers.

Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed, who is the eldest son of HH the Emir, was appointed first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, succeeding Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.

Shiekh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah was reappointed as Foreign Minister and Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah as Minister of Interior.

Bakhit Al-Rashidi, a former top oil executive, was appointed the new oil minister of the OPEC member state.

Former Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.

Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf who was former head of the Capital Markets Authority will take over the finance ministry.

This is the 35th government in the history of Kuwait since 1962.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.