Kuwait ex-parliament chief Kharafi passes away

Former Kuwait National Assembly speaker, renowned politician and businessman Jasim al Kharafi passed away late Thursday at the age of 75, KUNA news agency reported.

Kharafi was born in the Qiblah side of Kuwait City and belongs to a family of businessmen and politicians. His father Abdulmohsin was an MP and was responsible for forming the Al Kharafi Group, one of the largest trade firms in the country.

He became MP for the first time in 1975 before being voted speaker by consecutive parliaments from 1999 to 2011.

On a later government role, he assumed the duties of Minister of Finance and Economy in 1985 alongside his chairmanship of many company boards.