KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated Finance Minister Barrak Al-Sheetan for winning the parliament's confidence yesterday. He commended Sheetan for his answers of queries in an interpellation held on August 4, as well as the democratic practice by the parliament members. Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf received at Bayan Palace yesterday National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, as well as Kuwait News Agency's Board Chairman and Director General Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah.

The National Assembly had rejected Wednesday a no-confidence motion against Sheetan with 32 members supporting him. Sheetan was opposed by 12 members while three lawmakers abstained. Article 144 of the parliament's bylaw stats that majority of the house, excluding the ministers, could topple the minister. Sheetan said the confidence of the house was an "important push" for him to develop the financial system of the nation, address shortcomings, stop over-spending in the budget, and develop businesses and resources.

Addressing the parliament, Sheetan said the government would employ citizens to run the state's institutions with the objective of developing the financial system. He reiterated that citizens' salaries and rights "will not be touch as long as I am a Finance Minister." - KUNA