By Mohamed Shams Eddin and Mona Sheshtar KUWAIT, March 25 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued a decree on Sunday on the formation of the 24th cabinet since Kuwait's independence.

It is the third Kuwaiti cabinet to be led by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The following are profiles of the new cabinet's head and members: 1- Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah: He was born in 1940. He acquired primary education in Kuwait, and secondary education in Britain. He obtained a post-graduate study diploma in French language, and a political science certificate from Geneva University.

He can speak English, French and Persian.

In 1964, he began his career at the Foreign Ministry. In the same year, he moved to work at Kuwait's Permanent Representation Office in the UN.

In 1965, he became Kuwait's Permanent Representative in the UN European Office in Geneva.

In 1967, he was appointed a general consul in Switzerland.

In 1968, he became Kuwait's ambassador to Iran, having retained this post until 1979.

In 1979, he was chosen undersecretary of the Ministry of Information.

In 1985, he became minister of information.

In 1988, he was appointed as minister of social affairs and labor.

In 1990, he became minister of state for foreign affairs.

In 1998, he was chosen as minister of Amiri diwan affairs.

In February 2006, he first led the Kuwaiti government. In July 2006, he was re-chosen as prime minister.

2- First Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber al Mubarak al Hamad al Sabah.

He was born in 1948. He occupied several posts, including supervisor and manager of administrative affairs at Amiri Diwan.

He was then promoted as governor of Hawally and Al-Ahmadi. Afterwards, he became minister of social affairs and labor and then minister of information. He was then handpicked an advisor to HH late Amir's Office.

On February 14th, 2001, he was chosen as deputy prime minister and minister of defense.

On July 14th, 2003, he was re-chosen as deputy prime minister in a new cabinet.

In February 2006, he became first deputy prime minister, minister of interior and minister of defense.

He retained his post in July 2006.

3- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

He was born in 1955. He acquired a bachelor of economics from California and a philosophical doctorate from Harvard University in USA.

He occupied several posts, including a lecturer in the Economics Department of the Kuwait University Faculty of Commerce, Economy and Political Sciences in 1979-1985.

He was seconded to the Kuwaiti Institute of Scientific Research in 1987-1988. He was chosen as Kuwait's ambassador to the US in 1993. On February 14th, 2001, he was appointed as minister of state for foreign affairs. On July 14th, 2003, he became foreign minister and acting minister of social affairs and labor.

In February 2006, he was chosen as deputy prime minister and foreign minister before having been re-handpicked in the same post in July 2006.

4- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Faisal Mohammad Al-Hajji Bukhadhour.

He was born in Kuwait on November 15th, 1946.

He acquired a bachelor of commerce from Egypt's Ein Shams University in 1968.

He joined two courses in administration and investment in Kuwait University in 1969 and a diplomatic course in 1969-1970.

He joined the Foreign Ministry in October 1968, where he was promoted to the post of ambassador. He was then appointed as ambassador in Bahrain in 1988-1992.

He occupied several posts, including undersecretary of the Ministry of Information in 1993-1999, chairman of the Graduates' Association in 1972-1983, chairman and managing director of Kuwait Hotels Company in 2002-2003, member of several public benefit societies, governmental committees, higher councils and companies.

He also led Kuwait Cable Company and a contracting company. He was a member of the Public Authority for Investment. He represented Kuwait in several conferences, meetings and committees at the levels of the Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He held the portfolio of social affairs and labor in July 2003. 5- Minister of Finance Bader Mishari Al-Humaidhi.

He was born in Kuwait on October 23rd, 1948. He acquired a bachelor of economics from Kuwait University. He held several posts ahead of having become minister of finance on April 14th, 2005.

In 1972-1974, he was a lecturer in Kuwait University, and then an economic expert in the Operations Department of the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development in 1974-1978. He became deputy director-general of the fund's operations and finance affairs in 1981-1986. Afterwards, he was appointed as general-director of the fund in 1986.

He was a member of the board of the Arab Gulf Program for Supporting UN Development Organizations in 1981, and a member of the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development board of directors in 1986.

He was also a member of the Arab Planning Institute board of trustees. He was chosen as deputy governor of the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for Kuwait, and a member of several investment companies' board of directors.

In February 2006, he was appointed as minister of finance, and retained his post in July 2006.

6- Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdulwahed Mahmoud Al-Awadhi.

He was born in Kuwait in 1955. He obtained an aviation diploma from the US Naval Academy in 1976. He joined the Kuwaiti Air Force, and left it at the rank of wing commander. He took part in the Kuwait Liberation War.

He worked in the private sector.

He was a member and deputy chairman of Al-Duaya Cooperation Society for three years, a board member and treasurer of the Al-Arabi Sporting Club for three years, of several shareholding companies, of the Environmental Protection Council for three years, of Kuwait Airways for four years, and of the Supreme Planning Council.

7- Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

He was born in Kuwait in 1953. He acquired a bachelor of political sciences from Kuwait University in 1977.

He joined the Foreign Ministry in 1978 at the rank of a diplomatic attach{.

He worked at the Political Department of Arab Affairs in 1978-1983.

He worked with the Kuwaiti permanent mission in the UN in New York in 1983-1989.

He was deputy director of the Foreign Ministry Arab Department in 1989-1992.

He worked as director of the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary's Office in 1992-1995.

He was chosen as Kuwait's ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait's representatives at the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 1995-1998. He attended meetings of the GCC Council of Foreign Ministers in 1995-1998.

He was awarded the King Abdul-Aziz Decoration in 1998.

He was handpicked chief of the National Security Apparatus at the rank of minister in 1998. In July 2006, he was appointed as minister of social affairs and labor. 8 - Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nouriya Subeeh Barrak Al-Subeeh; She majored in education and got a BA degree from Kuwait University in 1975. She also got a diploma in education in 1976.

From 1975 to 1980 she served as a teacher.

From 1980 to 1984 she served assistant headmaster. From 1984 to 1986 she served as high school headmaster.

From 1986 to 1990 she served as supervisor of education affairs in the capital education department.

From 1991 to 1993 she served as director of coordination and follow up of public education.

From 1993 to 2000 she was director general of Hawally education department.

From 2000 to July 25, 2006, she served as assistant undersecretary for public education.

9 - Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Maatouq Al-Maatouq; Born in 1957, he got a master degree from Imam Mohammad Ben Saud Islamic University and a doctorate from a Scottish university.

He served as member of the Public Authority of Applied Education and Training.

On July 14, 2003 he was appointed Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

In February 2006, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

In July 2006, his mandate of the same portfolio was renewed.

10 - Minister of Information Abdullah Saud Al-Muhailbi; Born in Kuwait on March 1, 1963, he majored in geography at the Kuwaiti University.

From 1995 to 1999 he served as supervisor at the Kuwait Municipality and founding member of the association of the protection of public fund and the voluntary health association.

From July 2005 to February 2006 he served as member of the Municipal Council.

In February, 2006, he was appointed minister of state for municipal affairs.

In July, 2006, his mandate of the same portfolio was renewed.

11- Minister of Oil Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah; Born in Kuwait on January 20, 1950, he majored in political science and economics and graduated from University of Kuwait in 1972 with very good standard.

From 1972 to 1974, Ali worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received several courses in the banking and investment field.

From 1973 to 1974 he served as first secretary of Kuwait embassy in Tehran.

In 1975 he joined the Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance.

From 1976 to 1977 he served at the Investment Office in London.

He served as chairman and managing director of Borqan Bank and member of the founding committees of Kuwaiti Finance House and Warba Insurance Co.

He represented Kuwait in the Bahrain-based Arab Banking Foundation and chaired the Tunisia-Kuwait Bank.

In February, 2006, he assumed the portfolio of Social Affairs and Labor.

In July, 2006, he was appointed Minister of Energy.

12 - Minister of Communications and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Shireeda Abdullah Saad Al-Muoshirji; Born in Kuwait in 1952, he majored in commerce and graduated from University of Kuwait in 1974.

He got Master Degree in Business Administration from the U.S. Hartford University in 1980.

He participated in all Arab parliamentary meetings and conferences held since 1993.

From 1974 to 1980 he served as administration researcher at the Municipal Council secretariat.

From 1980 to 1983 he served as assistant secretary of the Municipal Council.

From 1983 to 1993 he served as assistant National Assembly secretary general for administrative, financial and technical affairs.

In 1994 he served as chairman of the Arab Secretaries General Association.

He served as Chief Editor of Al-Dostour newspapers since 1997.

13 - Minister of Health Dr. Maasouma Saleh Al-Mubarak; Professor of political science at the University of Kuwait, Maashouma got a doctorate degree in philosophy from Danvers University, Colorado, the United State, in 1982.

She got a master degree in philosophy from Danvers University and master in political science from North Texas University in 1976.

She is a specialist in international relations and international law and an advocate of woman empowerment and human rights in the third world.

She is also an active member of civil society associations such as the Graduates Association, the Economist Association, the Journalists' Association and the Kuwaiti Cultural Women Association.

She is a columnist in the dailies of Al-Seyassah and Al-Qabas, Al-Watan and Akhbar Al-Khaleej.

From 2001 to 2002 she chaired the Political Science Department of Kuwait University On June 14, 2005, she was appointed minister of planning and minister of state for administrative development.

In February, 2006, her mandate for the same portfolio was renewed.

In July, 2006, she assumed the portfolio of communications.

14 - Minister of Commerce and Industry Falah Fahad Mohammad Al-Hajri; Born in Kuwait in 1966, he majored in civil engineering University of Kuwait.

He was elected member of the National Assembly in 2006.

In July, 2006, he was nominated minister of commerce and industry 15 - Minister of Electricity and Water Mohammad Abdullah Hadi Al-Olaim; Born in Kuwait in 1960, he majored in industrial engineering University of Kuwait.

He was elected member of National Assembly 1996.

He served as director of operation planning of the Kuwait Petroleum Co.

In 1992 he served as technical advisor of the Interim Reform Plan of Kuwait Municipality.

Al-Olaim is also member of the Kuwaiti Engineers Association and the organization of international negotiation.

16 - Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Moussa Hussein Abdullah Al-Sarraf; Born in Kuwait in 1947, he majored in civil engineering the US Toledo University.

From 1975 to 1985 he chaired the urban planning department.

From 1985 to 1990 he served as director of planning.

From 1991 to 1994 he served as deputy chairman of engineers association for organization, surveys and construction.

From 1994 to 1997 he served as deputy chairman of engineers association for project development and construction.

From 1997 to 2000 he served as director general of project development affairs.

From 2000 to 2007 he served as advisor of Kuwaiti Municipality chairman for engineering affairs.

Al-Sarraf is also member of the Higher Council of Traffics and Engineers' Association. (end) msd.ms.rd.mt.gb.