Royal directives to form smaller cabinet backed

Manama, Sept. 18 (BNA): Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee at the Shura Council Sawsan Taqawi has lauded His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa AL Khalifa's directives to form a smaller cabinet to solve financial problems as soon as possible, in consultation with His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Taqawi expressed full confidence in HM the King's wisdom and farsighted vision on ways to tackle issues and deal with the current situation the kingdom and the region are going through. She praised the efforts exerted by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to address the economic problems and challenges resulting mainly from the drop in oil prices. She expressed optimism that the legislative branch would support the smaller cabinet, stressing that the challenges facing the kingdom require collective efforts and enhancing team work to spare the kingdom any negative impacts and maintain the national economy's stability.