Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

A motion filed by Kuwaiti lawmakers Riyad al-Adasani and Bader al-Mulla to grill Finance Minister Nayef al-Hajraf will be placed on the agenda of a parliamentary session on June 11, announced Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Issa al-Kanderi.

Kanderi told reporters Tuesday that after receiving the deputies’ request, he followed all the procedural measures to inform Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah and the minister in question.

Adasani and Mulla filed the motion to grill the Finance Minister on five major issues - lack of control over budget which prevented reforms and closing accounts, adopting unwise investment policies and harming the rights of pensioners through the mismanagement of social security funds.

In addition, they want to question the Minister on mismanagement of Kuwait Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which has suffered losses of billions of dollars, and his refusal to answer previous questions by Adasani and Mulla. 

Hajraf asserted last week that he was informed of the grilling by the deputy Speaker, adding that the questioning is an essential constitutional right for lawmakers.

"I'm not afraid of anything concerning the interpellation motion as we enjoy freedom,” he said.

He stressed that he will fully cooperate with the MPs. 



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.