In an emotional farewell address to staff at the Foreign Ministry, which he headed for the past eight years, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah underscored the significant role of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry in promoting the interests of Kuwait under the current critical circumstances in the region.
At a farewell ceremony held at the foreign ministry on Thursday, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the prevailing regional conditions necessitate national unity and concerted efforts as well as the need to support national interests. He added that the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry and its senior officials shoulder a major responsibility for addressing swift changes in the region by delivering a message of moderation which is the basis of the country’s foreign policy.
The incumbent prime minister said he was proud of Kuwait’s highly reputed and internationally recognized and appreciated diplomacy. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah congratulated Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled on having been chosen as Prime Minister. He also commended Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s great efforts over the years as the country’s top diplomat, which helped Kuwaiti diplomacy to gain much appreciation and accreditation at both regional and international levels.
He wished the new prime minister the best of luck in his new duty under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
His Highness the Prime Minister also received cables of congratulations from a number of senior leaders and dignitaries, including President of the National Guard His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
In their cables, they congratulated him on the new position and the assignment to form a new government, and expressed their best wishes for the new premier to form the new government and work on serving the people of Kuwait under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly is unlikely to hold its ordinary session slated for this Tuesday due to the resignation of the previous government and a new government has yet to be formed.
Article 116 of the Constitution states that parliamentary sessions should have the government’s representation either by the head of the government or some of its cabinet members. The constitution does not mention a caretaker government attending a parliamentary session.
Informed sources say the cabinet could be formed sometime this week.