Kuwaiti National Assembly Discusses State’s Finances

An aerial view of Kuwait City and the National Assembly building, March 20, 2020 (Reuters/ Stephanie McGehee)
An aerial view of Kuwait City and the National Assembly building, March 20, 2020 (Reuters/ Stephanie McGehee)
TT

Kuwaiti National Assembly Discusses State’s Finances

An aerial view of Kuwait City and the National Assembly building, March 20, 2020 (Reuters/ Stephanie McGehee)
An aerial view of Kuwait City and the National Assembly building, March 20, 2020 (Reuters/ Stephanie McGehee)

The Kuwaiti National Assembly held on Wednesday a closed-door session at the request of the government to discuss the state’s finances.

In remarks following the meeting, Speaker Marzouk Ali Al-Ghanim said that the parliament discussed the minister of finance’s proposal on the financial situation and approved the recommendations.

Prior to the session, Minister of State Mubarak Al-Haris said that the government had requested to discuss the issue behind closed-doors “for the sake of public interest… and based on Article 69 of the National Assembly’s bylaws,” he explained.

The article states that parliamentary sessions are public and may be held in secret at the request of the government, the speaker, or at least ten lawmakers.

Wednesday’s session was scheduled to discuss reports by the budgets committee and the finance minister’s presentation of the state’s financial situation.

The meeting reviewed the fifth report of the committee regarding a draft-law for the approval of the final account of the state’s financial management for the fiscal year 2018/2019, and a draft-law linking the budget of ministries and government departments for the fiscal year 2020/2021, in addition to the three reports from the relevant regulatory authorities.



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
TT

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
TT

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)
TT

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.