INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
monarchy.The new emir, who took over after the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, on Saturday, took the oath of
office during a special session of the National Assembly on Wednesday morning.In his inaugural address, Sheikh Mishal pledged to safeguard
and the laws of the state, to defend the liberties, interests and properties of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial
He has already been de facto leader since 2021 when the frail Sheikh Nawaf handed over most of his duties.Sheikh Mishal previously served as
deputy chief of the National Guard from 2004 to 2020 and head of State Security for 13 years after joining the Ministry of Interior in the
1960s.As he takes the helm of the OPEC oil producer, he is expected to preserve key Kuwaiti foreign policies, including support for Gulf
Arab unity and Western alliances.Good relations with Saudi Arabia are seen as one of his top priorities
The new emir may also look to expand ties to China as Beijing seeks a bigger role in the region.Political analyst Hussain Jamal told Al
the perpetually deadlocked and fractious parliament
Critics complain that the friction has hindered fiscal and economic reform.In 2022, Sheikh Mishal intervened in a protracted dispute between
the government and parliament
He dissolved parliament, decreed new elections and replaced the prime minister, but declared no intention to interfere in the vote or the
selection of parliament speaker.After being sworn in, Sheikh Mishal castigated authorities for having previously appointed people to
responsible oversight, and objective accountability within the framework of the constitution and the law for negligence, dereliction and
Al-Anjeri said.Source: Al Jazeera#13;
-Agencies
