KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s caretaker Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak declined to be reappointed as premier on Monday, the state news agency KUNA reported, rebuffing the offer from the ruling emir after submitting the government’s resignation last week.
The Cabinet resignation came after lawmakers sought a no-confidence vote against the interior minister over alleged abuse of power and as a feud emerged over alleged mishandling of military funds.
The interior minister has rejected lawmakers’ charges against him.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah earlier on Monday removed his son, Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Interior Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah from their posts in the current caretaker Cabinet.
The emir sought to reappoint Sheikh Jaber as premier, a post he has held since 2011, and asked him to form a new Cabinet.
“I decline this appointment and ask that you accept that,” Sheikh Jaber said in a letter to the emir, citing media campaigns against him in the feud. It was carried by KUNA.
The defense minister had issued a statement two days after the government resignation, saying the Cabinet had stood down to avoid addressing mismanagement of some 240 million dinars ($790 million) in military funds before he assumed office. He said the Defense Ministry had submitted the case to the public prosecutor.
Kuwait’s Parliament has the power to pass legislation and question ministers.
