Kuwait Emir Begins Consultations to Form Government

The official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) announced today, Tuesday, that the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has begun traditional consultations outlined in the constitution in preparation for forming a new government. The Emir accepted the government's resignation last Wednesday and tasked it with conducting business until a new one is formed. The traditional consultations involve meetings held by the Emir before appointing the Prime Minister to gather opinions from key political figures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, leaders of political blocs, former prime ministers, and other political opinion leaders. The agency reported that the Emir received the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ahmad Al-Saadoun, the former council president, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, the current Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf, as well as three former prime ministers: Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.