New Kuwaiti government to strengthen military defense

The new Kuwaiti Cabinet on Monday took constitutional oath before Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Its Premier Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah pledged to perpetuate the country's resources to strengthen military defense.

The new Kuwaiti government is the second since elections in October 1996. Pro-government candidates have 30 seats, as opposed to 16 seats for the Islamists and four for liberals, al-Nahar reported.

In the first meeting of the new Kuwaiti Cabinet, Premier Saad said: "The internal and external security of the homeland will be on top of our utmost priorities. We will mobilize all our potentials to strengthen defense potentials, develop defense capabilities and improve the efficiency of internal security."

He stated, "The government will continue measures to complete the economic reform program, thereby to come up with challenges of the coming 21st century."