Kuwait’s foreign minister will face a vote of no confidence next week after 10 MPs filed a motion over accusations of irregularities in his department following a tough questioning session.
Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al Mohammed faced questions from Kuwait's Parliament on Tuesday on a number of issues, including allegations of wasting public funds, breaking laws and failure to protect the country’s political and security interests.
Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al Ghanim said the body is not allowed to issue a decision on the request until seven days after its submission, meaning the vote will be postponed until a special session on February 16.
A no-confidence vote requires the approval of the majority of MPs to be passed however it's not uncommon for ministers unlikely to survive the vote to resign before the session.
Earlier in Tuesday’s session, Sheikh Ahmad reacted to charges raised by one MP, denying the alleged irregularities. He tried to assure the public and MPs that the ministry cares about their welfare and interests abroad.
Sheikh Ahmad answered in detail queries by MP Shuaib Al Muwaizeri, who had filed a motion to question the minister over issues in his department.
“Sheikh Ahmad said the Foreign Ministry had pinpointed a shortcoming on part of a contractor responsible for building a complex for the Kuwaiti diplomatic mission in Brunei and liquidated his banking guarantee,” said a news report published by state news agency Kuna.
Sheikh Ahmad said the complex construction issue dated back to 2016, although he had only taken office in 2019.
The minister was also questioned over the mysterious disappearance of Kuwaiti citizen Mohammad Al Baghli in Romania. He said a security delegation would travel to the European country in March to follow up on the case.
Replying to the charges of breaching international treaties and conventions 2,616 times since 1961, Sheikh Ahmad urged Mr Al Muwaizeri to specify which accords had been broken, particularly with respect to schedules and legal perspectives.
Sheikh Ahmad will be the second minister in the current Kuwaiti government to face a vote of no confidence after Defence Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah survived a motion against him last month over a number of decisions, including one to allow women to serve in combat roles.
Mr Al Muwaizeri led the charge of 10 MPs both times against both ministers.
Compared to in other Gulf countries, Kuwait's Parliament enjoys legislative power and politicians have been known to challenge the government and royals.
Kuwait has been shaken by disputes between elected politicians and successive governments dominated by the ruling Al Sabah family for more than a decade, with Parliaments and Cabinets dissolved several times.
The last government called it quits in November in the face of a stand-off with Parliament over reforms and the fourth Cabinet in two years was appointed in December.
In the December 2020 elections, the opposition and its allies won nearly half of the 50 seats.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
