KUWAIT, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti cabinet held its weekly meeting at the Seif Palace on Monday under the chairmanship of Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah.

Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Faisal Al-Hajji said the cabinet had reviewed the contents of a recent address by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Kuwaiti people on the occasion of the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.

In his speech, HH the Amir had stressed the necessity of preserving the nation, safeguarding its independence, boosting its national unity and buttressing its development.

He also called on both executive and legislative authorities to reinforce constructive cooperation within the framework of mutual respect and confidence and keenness on public interest away from negative matters, fault-finding or sensation so that ambitious development could be achieved, time be optimally invested, and a fast-track shift be made into a fresh stage of earnest work, responsible cooperation and integrated accomplishment.

During the meeting, the cabinet voiced great appreciation for HH the Amir's sublime directives, vowing to properly put them in place in the interest of the nation and citizens.

The ministers wished Kuwait more progress and prosperity under the leadership of HH the Amir, the minister said.

On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr or Lesser Bairam, the cabinet congratulated HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and the Kuwaiti people on this holy festival.

Afterwards, the cabinet listened to explanation from Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali on the outcomes of a recent visit by HH the Prime Minister to the US, and his meetings with US President George W. Bush and other senior officials.

He told the cabinet that the visit was mainly aimed to boost bilateral cooperation in political, economic and development areas, Kuwaiti prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and Kuwaiti students in the US.

The minister also briefed the cabinet on the outcomes of HH the Premier's meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which focused on UN peace efforts around the world.

He also kept the cabinet posted on HH the Premier's address at the UN, involving a set of local, regional and international issues, in which he called for more UN Security Council reforms. He also pointed to Kuwaiti efforts in the provision of development aid to developing countries.

On behalf of all the cabinet ministers, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah voiced great appreciation for stupendous efforts by HH the Premier in the promotion of Kuwait's status and relations with friendly countries. He also pointed to the good outcomes of HH the Premier's visit to the US, which reflects on common interest and more cooperation in various areas.

The cabinet also reviewed recommendations made by the cabinet's legal committee, calling for approving a draft bilateral agreement between Kuwait and Uzbekistan on a joint cooperation committee, a draft trade deal between Kuwait and Republic of Central Africa, a draft agreement between Kuwait and Turkey on customs cooperation and a draft trade deal between Kuwait and Benin.

The draft agreements were okayed during the cabinet meeting and then referred to HH the Amir for approval.

The cabinet then considered the affairs of the National Assembly, including draft governmental laws to be debated by the assembly in the 12th legislative session.

Political reports on the latest developments on the Arab and international arenas were also discussed during the ministerial meeting.

In this context, the cabinet voiced much pain and concern over the bomb explosion in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Friday, which left several people killed or injured.

The ministers emphatically condemned the bomb explosion as a sinful crime that ran counter to all religious principles and Islamic and human values and that targeted Syria's security and intimidated innocent people.

They also expressed heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured swift recovery, and Syria permanent security, safety and stability.

Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.