KUWAIT: Kuwait said on Thursday the interior and defence ministers had resigned, after they protested the manner of parliamentary questioning of ministers in the Gulf emirate.
A royal decree said the resignations of the two ministers, both members of the royal ruling family, had been accepted.
Interior Minister Shaikh Ahmed Mansour Al Ahmed al Sabah was replaced in a caretaker role by Oil Minister Mohammed al Fares, government spokesman Tariq al Mazram said.
Defence Minister Shaikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali al Sabah was replaced by Shaikh Ahmed Nasser al Mohammed al Sabah, the foreign minister and now also acting defence minister.
The two ministers quit after parliament questioned the foreign minister — also part of the royal family — over corruption claims and alleged misuse of public funds.
While the foreign minister survived a no confidence vote on Wednesday, Shaikh Hamad and Shaikh Ahmed said the lengthy grilling was an “abuse” of power.
“The abuse of constitutional tools is what prompted the resignations,” Shaikh Hamad, the former defence minister, was quoted as saying by Kuwaiti media.
“Interrogations are a constitutional right... but parliamentary practices are hindering us from fulfilling the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people.” — AFP
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