Kuwait—OPEC’s fourth largest producer—has been without a permanent oil minister since the new cabinet was unveiled in January, with Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al Sabah holding the post on an interim basis. Sheikh Ahmad is the fifth permanent oil minister since Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah was first appointed prime minister in February 2006, reflecting instability at the vital ministry. All previous four oil ministers were forced out of the post due to political pressure from opposition MPs, namely Islamists.
