KUWAIT CITY, Aug 1, (Agencies): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah approved in a decree on Monday the formation of a new cabinet led by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The first article of the decree included the lineup of the new cabinet consisting of:

1 - Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah — Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior.

2 - Dr. Mohammad Abdullatif Al-Fares — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.

3 - Issa Ahmad Al-Kandari — Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Urban Development and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs.

4 - Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah — Minister of Foreign Affairs.

5 - Dr. Rana Abdullah Al-Fares — Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology.

6 - Abdulrahman Baddah Al-Mutairi — Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs.

7 - Dr. Ali Fahad Al-Mudhaf — Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

8 - Justice Jamal Hadhel Al-Jalawi — Minister of Justice, Minister of State for Nazaha (Integrity) Enhancement and Minister of Awqaf (Endowment) and Islamic Affairs.

9 - Dr. Khaled Mhawes Al-Saeed — Minister of Health.

10 - Abduwahab Mohammad Al-Rushaid — Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment.

11 - Ali Hussein Al-Mousa — Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy.

12 - Fahad Mutlaq Al-Shurai’an — Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development.

According to the second article, His Highness the Prime Minister would be tasked with informing the National Assembly of the decree effective on the date of issue. An Amiri order was issued on Monday bestowing the title of His Highness upon the Prime Minister. Article two of the order stipulated that the cabinet and ministers should carry out the decision and it should be publicized in the official gazette. Kuwait on Monday announced the formation of a new government to defuse a protracted political feud blocking economic reforms in the oil-rich state. Kuwait’s newly-appointed prime minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf, will lead the 12-member Cabinet until the dissolution of parliament ahead of early elections, the country’s state-run news agency, KUNA, reported. The date of the vote has yet to be announced.

It represents Kuwait’s fifth government in the last two years, as the country’s Amir-appointed Cabinet and elected parliament battle over power-sharing. Some ministers from previous administrations were reappointed to their posts, including Abduwahab al- Rushaid, the outspoken finance minister known for his criticism of the government’s fiscal policies.

The ministers will take over from the caretaker government that had submitted its resignation over three months ago. Unique among Gulf Arab sheikhdoms, Kuwait’s raucous elected parliament wields genuine power. But the political disputes have paralyzed decision-making in the crucial OPEC state, creating major budgetary problems during the low oil prices of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a bid to break the deadlock and placate opposition lawmakers frustrated with the prime minister and the political paralysis, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jaber earlier this summer announced he would dissolve parliament and call snap legislative elections. Last week, the country named the ruling Amir’s son, Sheikh Ahmad, as the new prime minister. The 66-year-old former deputy prime minister and interior minister was widely seen as a conservative yet popular choice.