Kuwaiti ruler approves new cabinet lineup

Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Tuesday approved a new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The new cabinet consists of 10 ministers, with key portfolios such as defense, interior and foreign affairs retained by members of the ruling Al-Sabah family. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was named minister of defense and interior and Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah was nominated as foreign minister and minister of state for cabinet affairs. Oil-rich Kuwait was rocked by a bitter political infighting this year that saw the resignation of government and dissolution of parliament in the past two weeks. The Amir on Nov. 30 nominated former Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber as the new premier to replace Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah, who resigned on Nov. 28 under corruption allegations filed by the opposition. The Amir, who has the final say in politics, also dissolved the parliament on Dec. 6 and called new elections due to the deteriorating situation in the country.Parliamentary elections were expected in January.