Kuwait forms new cabinet after corruption allegations

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AFP Kuwait City
Last Updated : Dec 17 2019 | 5:45 PM IST

Kuwait's new prime minister unveiled his cabinet on Tuesday, changing key ministers after accusations of corruption and infighting forced the previous government to resign.

The old cabinet stepped down a month ago after the defence minister alleged that nearly USD 800 million was stolen from a military aid fund.

Soon afterwards the emir appointed foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled Al-Sabah as prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government.

The new 15-member cabinet, the ninth in the past eight years in the oil-rich Gulf state, saw changes at the top of all the key ministries.

Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, son of a former premier, was appointed foreign minister.

Sheikh Ahmed Mansour Al-Sabah was appointed defence minister, replacing the emir's eldest son Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who brought the corruption charges to the public.

Anas al-Saleh, outgoing minister of state for cabinet affairs, was appointed interior minister, the first time a non-ruling family member takes the job.

The new government includes three women, an increase from two in the previous cabinet, including Mariam al-Aqueel in the key finance ministry.

Khaled al-Roudhan and Khaled al-Fadhel retained the portfolios of commerce and oil, respectively.

Kuwait is the only Gulf state with a fully elected parliament that enjoys wide legislative powers and can vote ministers out of office.

The country has been shaken by political disputes between lawmakers and the ruling family-led government for over a decade, with parliament and cabinets dissolved several times.

A demonstration held outside parliament in early November over alleged rampant corruption was reminiscent of past crises that have marred political life in the country.

Kuwait is scheduled to elect a new parliament in November next year and the new cabinet will be required to resign in accordance with the constitution.

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First Published: Dec 17 2019 | 5:45 PM IST

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