New ministers sworn in by the emir in Kuwait

The newly-appointed Kuwaiti Cabinet took their oath of office before HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in a ceremony on Sunday as they were congratulated on their appointment. "It delights me to express to you my sisters and brothers my profound congratulations on being selected as ministers, wishing you all the success in assuming your ministerial responsibilities at this crucial stage in the history of our dear nation," he told the ministers in the attendence of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. "I would also like to commend your appreciated efforts to form the government and appoint its members," he told HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, before expressing gratitude for the efforts assumed by past ministers. HH the Amir indicated to the "weight of duties and responsibilities" the ministers will have to carry on their shoulders, which he said "require hard work, loyalty and teamwork in order to raise our dear nation and to continue travelling on the path of reform and development." The role, he said, also requires working "to recognize past discrepancies and inconsistencies in order to achieve aspired goals, the nation and its people aspire for and to ensure the Rule of Law on all without prejudice." "I am fully confident that you will be able to carry out these responsibilities with integrity and commitment. You will be worthy of this through your cooperation and coordination." He urged the ministers to pay close heed to the needs of the people and to do all in their power to alleviate any obstacles that may hinder serving them. Working towards better cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of politics and continuing the implementation of the country's development plan were another two issues HH the Amir called on the ministers to focus on. The formation sees Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah reassume the post, along with Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs remains Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, who was also handed Minister of Health. Others remaining in their posts include Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anas Khalid Al-Saleh, Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs and Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs, Dr. Rola Abdullah Dashti, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Shareeda Abdullah Al-Muosherji, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Thikra Ayed Al-Rashidi, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity and Water, Abdulaziz Abdulatif Al-Ibrahim and Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf. Salem Mutheeb Al-Utheina remains Minister of State for Housing Affairs but was additionally handed Minister of State for Municipal Affairs. New ministers include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mohammad Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Lt Gen (ret) Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of Communications, Essa Ahmed Al-Kandari and Minister of Oil, Mustafa Jasem Al-Shimali.