Kuwait Appoints New Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
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Kuwait Appoints New Defense, Interior Ministers

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with newly-appointed ministers (KUNA)

Kuwait issued a new Emiri decree appointing retired General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the interior minister, and Sheikh Talal Khaled al-Ahmad al-Sabah as defense minister.

They were both appointed as deputies to the prime minister.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah received the newly-appointed ministers on Wednesday at Dar al-Yamama, where they took the constitutional oath.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the Emir affirmed the necessity of increasing efforts to preserve Kuwait's security, wishing them further success, noting the importance of cooperation with the legislative authority to meet the aspirations of citizens for the benefit of all.

In February, Kuwait's government said that an Emiri decree was issued to accept the resignation of Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Mansour al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

The two former ministers submitted their resignations in protest of the manner of parliamentary questioning, saying the lengthy grilling was an abuse of power.

Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, born in 1956, is the eldest son of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. He is a retired Lieutenant-General who was the Deputy Chief of the National Guard since November 2021 and served as the Governor of Hawalli Governorate.

He also held several positions in the Ministry of Interior, most recently the Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Training Affairs.

Sheikh Talal al-Sabah was the governor of the capital after serving as an official spokesman for the oil sector and president of the Kuwait Oil Tanker.

The appointment comes amid the ongoing tensions between the government and the parliament, which resulted in subsequent questioning of the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Works.

The current government was formed in December, the third in 2021, to resolve a long-running crisis with the parliament that has hampered the state's efforts to implement financial reforms.

Next Wednesday, the parliament is scheduled to vote on a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Public Works after questioning him in parliament over accusations of not taking sufficient measures to combat corruption.

On Wednesday, three deputies in the National Assembly submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding unconstitutional practices and looting of public funds.



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.