The resignation of Kuwait's government was accepted on Thursday in an Emiri decree, state news agency Kuna reported.
The decree accepting the government’s resignation was issued by Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Sabah, as part of constitutional powers he was granted by the Emir in late 2021.
The government under Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah will continue in a caretaker role until a new cabinet is formed.
Sheikh Ahmad submitted his cabinet’s resignation earlier this week after weeks of tension with the National Assembly over requests to question two cabinet ministers.
MP Jenan Boushehri sought to question Cabinet Affairs Minister Barak Al Shaitan over his alleged "abuse of power" and assigning of leadership roles to unqualified individuals, while opposition MP Mubarak Al Hajraf asked to interrogate Finance Minister Abdulwahab Al Rushaid over alleged mismanagement of public funds .
Kuwaiti MPs last week offered to withdraw a controversial loan relief bill that led to deadlock with the government — provided ministers raise wages in the country in return.
The draft bill would force the government to purchase several billion Kuwaiti dinars worth of citizens' consumer and personal loans.
The government says the move would be too expensive, costing almost $46 billion in public funds. MPs say it would cost less than $6.5 billion.
Parliament was forced to adjourn sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the government's absence. Under the constitution, the National Assembly cannot convene without the presence of at least two sitting cabinet ministers.
The government's decision to boycott parliamentary sessions in recent weeks has angered legislators.
"Since the leadership had not accepted the government's resignation, its role as a functioning and continuing government was still ongoing and therefore they have actually abandoned their duties to the constitution by not attending the sessions," MP Saleh Ashour said.
Political observers initially thought it would be several weeks before the Emir or the Crown Prince accepted the government’s resignation. When the government of former prime minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah resigned in April last year, Crown Prince Meshal accepted it after more than a month.
Several analysts in Kuwait have suggested that the Supreme Court rule on the constitutional requirements for parliament to convene.
“What should happen next is that the Supreme Court must provide a new ruling on its interpretation of the constitution that stipulates how the National Assembly convenes,” said Hadi Al Ajmi, a Kuwaiti political analyst.
Mr Al Ajmi suggested that "only a majority number of members of parliament are needed to attend to hold quorum, without the need for the government’s attendance”.
Kandahar%20
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MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Honeymoonish
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Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Read more from Mina Al-Oraibi
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
