Kuwait’s ruler fires ministers, orders new government formed

KUWAIT CITY – Kuwait’s ruler has fired two warring Cabinet ministers at the centre of embezzlement allegations and directed the prime minister to form a new government.

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah issued the decree Monday just days after Kuwait’s Cabinet resigned amid another inquiry.

Al Sabah fired both Defence Minister Nasser Al Sabah and Interior Minister Khaled Al Sabah, who had issued statements against each other. The defence minister says he discovered a $790 million embezzlement in the office while the interior minister served as his predecessor.

The defence minister is seeking his predecessor’s prosecution along with five other top defence ministry officials over the alleged embezzlement. The Cabinet resigned last week after a minister stepped down following a grilling by parliament.

The country’s parliamentary elections are expected in November 2020.