Manama: At least five ministers are expected to leave the Kuwaiti cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced within weeks, a government source has said.
Poor performance, health problems and an attempt to achieve a greater cohesion between the executive and legislative branches are the main reasons for the replacement of the ministers, the unnamed source said.
"Current discussions on the issue are focusing on the timing of the reshuffle and whether it should be announced before or after the upcoming major national celebrations," the source said, quoted by Kuwait Times.
Kuwait is getting ready to celebrate the 50th National Day, the 20th Liberation Day, and the fifth anniversary of the Emir's accession to power.
"If the reshuffle is announced before the celebrations, it will be done right after the interior minister, who has recently handed in his resignation, takes the necessary action to prosecute those responsible for the death under torture of Kuwaiti citizen Mohammad Al Mutairi," the source said.
Kuwaitis last week were shocked by a medical report that Al Mutairi, who allegedly trafficked in alcohol and drugs, had been tortured to death. Shaikh Jaber Al Khalid Al Sabah, the interior minister, offered his resignation and the authorities have been interrogating the officer and staff implicated in the incident.
Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah asked the interior minister to remain in his post reportedly to assume his political responsibilities and take the necessary measures to take stringent action against those responsible for Al Mutairi's death and interior ministry officials who attempted the cover-up by providing false information.
