KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Sabah chair’s the cabinet’s meeting yesterday. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The cabinet yesterday condemned the recent 'criminal act' that hit Turkey and the 'terrorist attacks' in Indonesia. Last Tuesday, a suicide attack struck the historical Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, leaving many killed, mostly Germans, or wounded. Two days later, gun and bomb attacks targeted the Indonesian capital of Jakarta killing several people and wounding many others.

During a meeting held at Seif Palace and chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the cabinet expressed condolences to the two countries, and families of the victims, wishing the injured speedy recovery.

The cabinet reiterated Kuwait's unwavering stance, urging the international community to counter that "abominable phenomenon" that targets people's safety and stability worldwide, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

It also stressed Kuwait's firm rejection of all forms of terrorism, denounced by all faiths and human values and conventions. The country supports efforts seeking to vanquish the phenomenon, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Electricity and Water Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Diwan budget

As yesterday's weekly meeting started, the cabinet was informed of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's orders on rationalization of the budget of the Amiri Diwan, and affiliated bodies.

The ministers pointed out that His Highness the Amir's initiative offers a significant all-inclusive message, amid the unprecedented falls of oil prices, prompting the entire society, individuals and institutions, to proceed and face the challenge, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah added.

His Highness the Prime Minister urged Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Oil Anas Khaled Al-Saleh to coordinate with the concerned government bodies on the necessary measures and steps to enforce His Highness the Amir's directives, for rationalizing expenditure, responding to requirements of current conditions, for the sake of public interests.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak then notified the cabinet of a message His Highness the Amir received from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In the message, Abbas expressed high appreciation for Kuwait's stances in support of the Palestinian people and their just cause. He addressed means of boosting bilateral cooperation in all fields.

His Highness the Prime Minister also apprised the ministers of a message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to His Highness the Amir inviting him to attend the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 23-24.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the meeting on his participation in the 4th session of Kuwait-Qatar Joint Committee that recently reviewed means of enhancing bilateral ties in all fields. In addition, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled gave notice of his meeting with Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during his visit to the country last week. The Doha talks addressed the deep-rooted bilateral ties.

Obaidi's grilling

Meanwhile, the cabinet lauded the argument of Health Minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi in reply to a grilling motion submitted against him last week. The ministers stressed how Al-Obaidi disproved pivots of the grilling through facts and documents.

The cabinet reiterated keenness on public interests and enforcing real parliamentary practices, that require constructive and fruitful cooperation between the Legislative and Executive Authorities, to realize security and prosperity for "dear Kuwait." The meeting was concluded with a review of the political developments on the Arab and international arenas.

Senior officials

Separately, the cabinet agreed to assign Engineer Ahmad Abdullah Al-Manfouhi to the post of Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah announced. He also indicated that the cabinet has appointed Dr Khaled Abdelsahab Mahdi as Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD).

Moreover, the cabinet has appointed Faisal Saoud Al-Hasawi as Director General of Fish Resources at Kuwait's Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources Affairs while Mohammad Rashed Al-Hamad was assigned the post of Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice.

Meanwhile, Waleed Abdulaziz Al-Ammar was named Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. Mohammad Bader bin Naji has been assigned the post of Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information while Fatma Mohammad Al-Snan was named Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah also announced that Hamad Abdullatif Al-Barjas has been assigned the post of Deputy Director General of the Public Authority for Minor Affairs (PAMA). Haifa Abdulaziz Al-Mudhaf was named Assistant Secretary General of the Secretariat of SCPD.

Mahmoud Hamad Al-Qattan was given the post of Deputy Director General of the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) while Mohammad Bahman has been transferred from PAHW to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) while retaining the same post. Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah also announced that Hadeel Abdellatif bin Naji has been transferred from Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) to PAHW, while retaining the same post. - KUNA