Kuwait reiterates absolute belief in democracy

The Kuwaiti government has reaffirmed total commitment to, and absolute belief in, democracy which it said would be certainly in the interest of the nation. The remark was made during a weekly cabinet meeting held at Al-Seif Palace on Tuesday under chairmanship of Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah against the backdrop of a recent no-confidence motion lodged against Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of Health Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah. Congratulating the minister on the National Assembly's renewed confidence, the government reiterated much interest in cooperation with the parliament to address issues and problems on the basis of mutual confidence pursuant to the constitution and law, the cabinet minister said in news remarks following the weekly meeting. The National Assembly had granted renewed confidence in the State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister following a no-confidence vote called by 10 members of parliament. A total of 49 deputies were present in the vote session when 31 members said "no", 12 said "yes", with six abstentions. The cabinet approved a recommendation by the parliamentary legal committee on a governmental draft decree authorizing a financial investigation unit in line with the 2013 Law on the fight against money laundering and terrorism. The draft was worked out in collaboration with International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts, the cabinet minister said. Afterwards, the cabinet reviewed a report presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah on the need to improve the management of land resources for economic and social development purposes in Kuwait. Also reviewed was a World Bank study on basic challenges and structural problems facing both public and private sectors and concrete suggestions for addressing them, he said. Ways and means of resolving negative aspects and improving financial services in all sectors as well as revamping the management of land resources for economic and social development were also discussed. The ministers were also apprised of an interpellation motion filed by Hamdan Salem Al-Azmi against Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thikra Al-Rashidi for alleged irregularities at her ministry. They were also briefed on letters recently sent to His Highness the Amir from the leaders of Angola and C`te d'Ivoire, thanking him for the warm welcome and hospitality during the Third Africa-Arab Summit recently held in Kuwait. Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah then kept the ministers posted on the outcomes of a recent visit to Kuwait by Hungarian President Janos Ader. The cabinet finally discussed several political reports on the latest regional and international developments, and congratulated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on its National Day, wishing this Gulf country everlasting security, stability and welfare.