KUWAIT -- In voting by acclamation in parliament, 23 MPs opposed to the no-confidence vote against the minister and 21 approved -- among the present total 44 legislators.
According to constitutional provisions, a majority of the parliamentarians' vote is required to strip the concerned minister of the confidence.
Earlier during the session, MP Hassan Johar, who supported the bid to deprive the foreign minister of trust, charged that concern for public funds was not among Sheikh Ahmad's priorities. He complained about performance of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) saying its role was not compatible with history of Kuwait's diplomacy.
Another legislator, Dr. Hisham Al-Saleh, who opposed to the vote, indicated that the relevant motion was peppered with false information and lacked evidences.
"The interpellation should have been based on solid arguments and compelling proofs, rather than abusive terms against the minister," he said.
The MP who had submitted the motion, Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, argued that he was not seeking to settle personal scores with the minister, adding that problems dating back to the mandate of the former minister do not constitute an excuse for the current one to absolve himself of the responsibility.
Another MP against the vote, Dr. Abdullah Al-Turaiji, argued that the interpellation lacked solid bases and evidences charging that some MPs sought to settle personal issues with the foreign minister. Early today, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim inaugurated the session for voting on stripping the minister of the confidence.
Last Tuesday, after discussing the grilling motion filed by MP Al-Muwaizri against the foreign minister, the parliament speaker announced that 10 MPs submitted a no-confidence motion against the concerned minister.
According to Article 101 of the Kuwaiti Constitution, "if the parliament decides to vote with the no-confidence motion against the minister, he is considered retired from duties immediately." The no-confidence motion requires approval of the majority of the Parliament members, and the ministers are not included in the voting.
The Kuwaiti Government has renewed backing for the foreign minister. (end) rk