Kuwait Parliament Kicks off New Sessions by Debriefing Defense, Commerce Ministers

An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Parliament Kicks off New Sessions by Debriefing Defense, Commerce Ministers

An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)

Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said Monday that he has officially received motions to grill Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Al-Salman.

Ghanim announced that according to the bylaws, he had informed the "Prime Minister and the concerned MPs of the grilling motions, and they will be scheduled on the next ordinary session."

The Defense Minister's grilling paper includes questioning about allowing women to join the military, "unjust officer promotions," and "waste of public money and the loss of rights of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) employees."

Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister's grilling motion included "damaging Kuwait's reputation by intimidating several leaderships and harming the public interest," reported the state news agency (KUNA).

On October 12, the Minister of Defense announced it was allowing Kuwaiti women to enlist in the military for the first time after they were restricted to civilian roles.

The Minister issued a ministerial decree to open the registration for women to join the National Military Service.

"The time has come for Kuwaiti women to be given the opportunity to enter the Kuwaiti military side by side with their brothers," the minister said in remarks carried by KUNA.

At the current stage, their role would be restricted to medical supportive military services

"Kuwaiti women have proven their achievements in several fields, and accordingly, the approval was given for women to enter the military corps along with men," he said.



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.