KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah poses for a group photo with members of his new Cabinet. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Cabinet pledged on Monday to spare no effort to ensure that His Highness the Amir's grand plan of reforms is realized and development projects will come to fruition. The vow was made during the Cabinet's weekly meeting held at Seif Palace, presided over by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

In a speech to kick off the first session of Parliament's 15th legislative term on Sunday, His Highness the Amir highlighted the need to keep the nation's best interest at heart, at a time of mounting challenges and difficulties.

Moreover, His Highness the Amir also spoke of the importance of slashing public spending and putting national resources to good use, as he underscored the private sector's crucial contributions to economic reforms, chiefly, efforts to stifle corruption.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also reviewed His Highness the Prime Minister's speech on Sunday, where he spoke of His Highness the Amir's sage advice and the government's commitment to make substantial progress on development plans in order to fulfill the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people.

Letter to Amir

At the onset of the meeting, the Cabinet looked over a letter sent to His Highness the Amir by the Second Deputy President of Burundi Dr Joseph Butore, which heaped praise on Kuwait for its support of the East African nation. Furthermore, His Highness the Prime Minister also apprised the Cabinet of the fruitful outcome of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz's historic visit to the country, one that further reinforced deep-rooted ties between the two Gulf neighbors.

On a related note, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah informed the cabinet of His Highness the Amir's participation in the 37th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Bahrain recently.

The Cabinet reviewed the statement issued at the conclusion of the GCC summit, which cited the latest regional developments and further affirmed the concerted stance forged by GCC nations to safeguard their collective interests, which includes united efforts to fight terrorism and other threats.

Terror attacks

In the meantime, the Cabinet has vehemently denounced the recent bombing that targeted security forces in Egypt's Giza, along with Sunday's blast that hit a church in Cairo. The Cabinet deplored the bombings as terrorist acts that aim at disrupting Egypt's security and stability and intimidating its people. It emphasized that such attacks would not undermine Egypt's resolve to fight terrorism resolutely, while supporting all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet sharply denounced the recent attacks that hit Turkey's Istanbul, which left dozens of people dead or injured. It reiterated that the State of Kuwait stands side by side with Turkey in its fight against terrorism, and supports all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability. Furthermore, the Cabinet, at its yesterday's weekly meeting, offered heartfelt condolences to Pakistani President Pakistani President over the victims of the recent Pakistani plane crash. - KUNA