Kuwait reappoints oil, finance ministers in new Cabinet

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, waves as he arrives to attend the opening session of the first regular session of the 16th legislative term, at the parliament in Kuwait City on Dec. 15, 2020. (AFP)

• The current government had been acting in a caretaker capacity since resigning in January
• PM stressed the need for agreeing a package of legislation

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmrd Al-Sabah issued a decree on Tuesday approving a new Cabinet that reappointed the oil and finance ministers, the state news agency KUNA said.
The current government had been acting in a caretaker capacity since resigning in January in a standoff with parliament.
Oil Minister Mohammad Abdulatif Al-Fares, Finance Minister Khalifa Hamade and Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah were reappointed in the new Cabinet.
The previous government’s resignation came after more than 30 members of parliament in the 50-seat assembly supported a motion to question Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on various issues, including his choice of ministers.
Since being reappointed on Jan. 24 as premier, a post Sheikh Sabah has held since late 2019, he has held consultations with parliamentary blocs.
“The coming period requires cooperation with the legislative authority and the meetings brought points of view closer together,” KUNA quoted Sheikh Sabah as saying.
He stressed the need for agreeing a package of legislation, resolving “some political files” and uniting efforts to tackle “financial and administrative corruption” whether inside or outside the government apparatus, it added.
A key priority is overcoming legislative gridlock on debt legislation that would allow Kuwait to tap international markets to tackle the liquidity crunch caused by low oil prices and COVID-19. 
Emir Sheikh Nawaf, who has final say in state matters, last month issued a decree suspending parliament’s sessions for one month as of Feb. 18.