KUWAIT, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- The cabinet approved on Monday the draft law granting a monthly allowance for students of Kuwait University (KU) and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and discussed the committee formed by the Health Ministry for expanding the sector's facilities.
During the meeting, presided by Acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the cabinet approved the draft law that adds a new article (Article 5 bis) to Law 10 of 1995 on allowances for KU and PAAET students. The draft law was referred to His Highness the Amir.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Abdullah Abdulrahman Al-Taweel briefed the cabinet on the committee formed by the ministry, aimed at expanding existing state hospitals to accommodate demand until the new facilities were completed. This expansion comes in implementation of directives by His Highness the Amir.
Minister Al-Taweel explained that a committee was formed and tasked with following up this issue, and four contracts were signed for an eight-month expansion project of Adan, Farwaniya, Jahra and Mubarak Al-Kabeer hospitals.
Furthermore, the cabinet members were briefed by the Acting Prime Minister on outcomes of last week's official visits by the President of Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and that by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Kuwait.
He also noted the discussions these leaders held with His Highness the Amir, which focused on means to boost bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
The president of the Philippines had made a two-day visit to Kuwait starting December 9. Her Afghan counterpart was also in Kuwait for two days starting December 11.
And on the occasion of the upcoming Eid Al-Adha holidays, the ministers congratulated His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, and the Kuwaiti people.
Moreover, they took note of a letter addressed to His Highness the Amir from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, which included an invitation for the Kuwaiti leader to participate in the World Economic Forum, scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in May 2008.
They also took note of a letter to the Kuwaiti Amir from Somali President Abdullah Ahmad Yousef, which was delivered by the African president's envoy Mohammad Saeed Mursi. The letter lauded outcomes the recent visit of the president to Kuwait and focused on issues of mutual concern.
The cabinet members discussed National Assembly affairs, and reviewed questions and proposals submitted by MPs, as well as topics listed on the agenda of the parliament's next session.
They also discussed political affairs in light of developments on the Arab and international arena. They condemned the assassination of Lebanon's Commander of the Army Operations Room Brigadier Francoise Al-Hajj, as well as the bombings that targeted Algeria last week. Moreover, they congratulated Bahrain on its national day.
